James Voght, entomologist, on the invasive Asian needle ant, “These ants are able to invade forests and take over”

The United States, like many parts of the world, is being plagued by invasive species. The Federal Register defines invasive species as plants, animals, and other living organisms that are non-native (or alien) to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Many invasive species tend to colonize areas in the wake of natural or human disturbance, take for example the American bullfrog which is plaguing the western United States. However, one that is raising concerns these days, despite going unnoticed for several decades, is the Asian needle ant, which is colonizing both undisturbed forests as well as developed locations and has a sting that can kill.

The invasive ant whose sting packs a punch

The Asian needle ant doesn’t look like much, with workers measuring about two tenths of an inch long. It looks pretty much like most any other ant, so it is hard to distinguish. They are “shiny, dark brown to black, with the end of the antennae and the legs being a lighter orange-brown,” explains the U.S. Forest Service.

The species, which is native to China, Japan, the Koreas and parts of Southeast Asia, were originally discovered in just a few states in the Southeast of the U.S. in the 1930s. Today they are known to have established themselves in at least 22 states across the nation.

One of the biggest concerns for humans is this ant has a stinger which can be deadly for those who have hypersensitivity to stings from other insects like wasps or yellowjackets inducing life-threatening anaphylaxis. Even for the average person, their stings can cause “intense pain at the site of the sting that comes and goes over the course of several hours,” as well as away from the site of the sting.

Another big concern is that when Asian needle ants challenge native ants for territory, the native ants lose and lose big. A study in Athens, Georgia over a decade found that where this invasive ant species had infested that 60% of native ant species had become locally extinct.

“These ants are able to invade forests and take over,” James Vote, an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service, told Investigate TV. “If you go out and pick up a piece of wood the overwhelming possibility is it has Asian needle ants in it.”

By whipping out native ant species that are critical to seed dispersal, it is affecting plant species that rely on them to properly propagate. The worry is that those areas could see “dramatic, long-term negative effects on forest understory,” warns the U.S. Forest Service.

What to do if you think you have found Asian needle ants

While this species of ant is not aggressive, they are still potentially dangerous if you get stung by them. It is recommended that you keep your distance and if you have an allergic reaction to stings, or are concerned you might, that you talk to a doctor to get a prescription for an Epi-pen.

If you are unsure if you have an Asian needle ant infestation, you can take a picture of the ants and send it to your local agriculture extension office or land grant university, whose agents can help with identification.

“Identification is critical because many ants out there aren’t going to negatively impact your health. They’re just doing their thing,” says UGA Today.

After that you can have a professional come to take a look and bait the ants so that you can enjoy the summer without worrying about getting stung by Asian needle ants.

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