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India.com
5 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Deadly Ants Are Spreading Across America; You Might Not Even See Them Coming
New York: It began almost a century ago, quietly and unnoticed. A small insect, native to parts of Asia, found its way to American soil – likely tucked away in shipping crates or plant materials. Today, that same insect, the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera Chinensis), is no longer a quiet stowaway. It is now crawling across at least 21 U.S. states, from the deep South to the Pacific Northwest. What is alarming experts is how effectively they have taken hold. Sightings have been confirmed in states as varied as Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. What makes this ant so problematic is its ability to slip through unnoticed until it is too late. Unlike many other invasive ants, Asian needle ants do not create visible foraging lines. They operate discreetly, nesting beneath rotting logs, under rocks, inside mulch and even within stacked firewood. They become active early – some as soon as March – and quickly begin building colonies that thrive in warm and damp corners of suburban backyards and city parks. Victims describe its sting as a sharp jab 'like a needle piercing your skin'. It sends them into life-threatening anaphylaxis. For those with allergies, even a single sting can trigger a severe and rapid reaction that requires immediate medical attention. The true extent of allergic sensitivity among Americans is still unknown, but in its native range, nearly 2% of stings result in anaphylaxis. That is enough to put emergency rooms on alert, especially in regions where the ant's footprint is growing. An Invisible War Beneath The Surface Beyond human health, the Asian needle ant is waging a more silent war – one against America's native ant species. These native ants are not only harmless; they serve critical ecological roles, like helping disperse seeds and keeping pest populations in check. But they are no match for the invader. The Asian needle ant is aggressive and efficient. Once established, it begins pushing out native colonies, seizing food sources and nesting areas. That disruption sends ripples through entire ecosystems. Plants lose their seed spreaders. Birds and small mammals that rely on ant-foraged food suffer. And over time, the landscape itself begins to shift unseen but undeniable. Controlling the spread is a challenge. Most consumer-grade treatments will not work. Professional pest controllers rely on baiting techniques carefully calibrated to avoid harming non-target species. Suiter advises residents to take early steps such as wear gloves when gardening, move firewood stacks away from living spaces and stay vigilant for ants that do not follow the usual trail patterns. Still, this is an uphill battle. Researchers, who has tracked the ant's movement through states like North Carolina, warn that people are only beginning to understand the scale. Scientists are continuing to monitor its expansion.
Scientific American
13-06-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Fire Ant's—Here's How to Avoid It
Warnings of a potentially dangerous invasive ant have popped up on news sites and social media this week. You'd be forgiven for thinking a new threat had arrived. But this insect, the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis), is no newcomer—just a master of remaining inconspicuous. The ant is getting attention after University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist Dan Suiter issued a warning that its sting can be remarkably painful and sometimes cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The ant is not new or spreading any faster than it used to, Suiter says. Rather, as a UGA Cooperative Extension entomologist, he's been getting calls about people being stung by the ant and needing hospital care. With summer in full swing, the insect is active, and people are likely to be in the woods or in their gardens where they might encounter it, prompting Suiter to raise awareness of the species. 'By this time last year, I had fielded three calls of people who had been stung by an Asian needle ant—they knew it was an Asian needle ant—and suffered anaphylaxis,' Suiter says. The problem, he adds, is that the insect is small, black and nondescript. 'You're not thinking that 'this tiny little creature right here could have consequences if it stung me.'' On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The Asian needle ant is native to Japan, Korea and China. It arrived in the U.S. around or before the 1930s, probably in ships carrying plants and livestock 'before we even realized that is a great way to spread things around,' says Theresa Dellinger, a diagnostician at the Insect Identification Lab at Virginia Tech. It's not clear precisely where the ant has spread within the U.S., but it's plentiful in the Southeast and appears to range as far north as Massachusetts, according to sightings on the community science app iNaturalist. It's not often seen farther west than Missouri, probably because it's not well-adapted to arid conditions, Dellinger says. Studies have found that when Asian needle ants move into an area, they outcompete native ants, reducing ant diversity. These ants don't lay down pheromone trails to lead their colony to food, so you won't see them marching in a line like the little black ant (Monomorium minimum). Instead, when an Asian needle ant finds food, it will return to its colony, pick up another worker and physically carry it to the jackpot, says Christopher Hayes, an entomologist at North Carolina State University. And unlike fire ants, Asian needle ants don't build big nest mounds. Instead they love nesting in damp wood, such as fallen logs or wet mulch. While they aren't particularly aggressive, they will sting to protect their nest, making them a danger to the home gardener. Their sting is initially more painful than a fire ant sting, Hayes says, but also irritatingly persistent, like fiberglass under the skin. The pain can also come and go. Hayes's two-year-old son recently got a sting. The little boy was fine after a few minutes, Hayes says, but then woke up after midnight that night crying about the pain again. In their native range, Asian needle ant bites are associated with a 2 percent risk of anaphylaxis compared with a 0.5 to 1.5 percent risk from the bites of fire ants, Hayes says. So how should you react if you see a suspected Asian needle ant on you? Gently flick or brush it off, Hayes and Suiter say. If it does sting you, try to capture the ant for identification purposes if you can (though it will probably scurry away too quickly). If you start to experience hives, swelling of the lips or tongue or difficulty breathing, get to an emergency room because these symptoms are signs of anaphylaxis. If you suspect you have Asian needle ants on your property, you can snap a good photograph or collect an ant or two with tweezers to submit to your county agricultural agent for identification, Suiter says. There are no centralized entities mapping out the ants' spread, but Suiter says he hopes more public attention will spur more scientific research. Identification is particularly important for those who have had allergic reactions to bee and ant stings in the past. 'If people have a family member that suffers from anaphylaxis and knows it, and they carry around an Epipen,' he says, 'somebody like that needs to know what this ant looks like.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ant species with deadly sting rises across 17 U.S. States including GA and SC
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Sightings of a potentially deadly invasive species are spreading across the United States. They've been spotted in at least 17 states including Georgia and South Carolina. This ant species has been around since the 1930s, but now it's becoming known as a 'medical pest'. It is the Asian Needle Ant, and it could be your next stinging nightmare. The Asian Needle Ant looks just like a regular ant, but a professor from UGA says there is one thing that makes it different. 'But it makes them a little bit different is that some people get stung by it. They can. They can incur. They can experience anaphylaxis, which can be a life-threatening condition. So we thought, you know, last year I had numerous cases of people who had contacted me as an extension entomologist, and numerous people who had contacted me who had been stung by this and suffered anaphylaxis and wound up in the hospital,' said Dr. Dan Suiter, UGA Orkin Entomologist. And he says that they mainly live in hardwood places. 'And they live in logs. So, if you've got firewood, for instance, keep the firewood up off the ground, because if that wood gets in contact with the ground, ants will actually move up into the wood and you'll bring them inside and maybe get stung by them. If you're gardening and you're picking something up that's been laying there for a few days. Pick it up and look underneath it. See ants on it, just kind of brush them off. Get them identified.' Dr. Suiter says if you think you have some in your yard, put a couple in your jar and send them to Richmond County Extension Coordinator, Campbell Vaughn, who can identify 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive ant species that can cause anaphylaxis reported in nearly 20 states
The Asian needle ant, a species that's invasive in the U.s. and whose sting can cause anaphylaxis in humans, is now being reported in almost half the country. According to the Asian needle ant has been confirmed in 19 states, with an additional sighting that needs verification, potentially bringing the total number of states impacted to 20. The Asian needle ant is native to Asia, given its name, but has been established in the southeastern U.S. since 1932, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Now, the stinging ant has spread beyond the Southeast and has been reported in Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio and all along the Eastern and Southeastern Seaboard. Venomous Invasive Pest Triggering Anaphylaxis Warning In Southeast In April, the Asian needle ant was getting renewed attention for its ability to cause anaphylaxis in some people. "It gets a little bit more serious when the sting of an insect can be life-threatening to people who suffer anaphylaxis," said Dan Suiter, an Orkin distinguished professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia. Suiter said the Asian needle ant isn't aggressive by nature, but it will sting if it gets under your clothing. Last year, Suiter received three calls from people who had experienced anaphylaxis after being stung by an Asian needle ant. Not everyone will experience this life-threatening condition if they're stung by the ant, but Suiter said if you've reacted adversely to another insect's sting, like a yellow jacket or a honeybee, and carry an Epipen at doctor's recommendation, you should be aware of the Asian needle ant. Invasive Species Posing 'Extreme Threat' Found Near Popular Summer Vacation Spot Suiter said it's very important to get these ants professionally identified if you believe they're a problem in your area. "You can collect it, get a picture of it," Suiter said. "Send it to an extension agent." In addition to its impact on humans, the Asian needle ant also wipes out other native ant species in an area that could be important to seed dispersal, according to the USDA. If someone gets stung by an Asian needle ant and suffers symptoms such as the ones listed below, they may experience anaphylaxis, according to the USDA. Swelling of the tongue or throat Constriction of the airway, difficulty breathing, wheezing Weak or rapid heart rate Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Skin reactions like hives, itching, flushed or paled skin Low blood pressure Dizziness or fainting Psychological symptomsOriginal article source: Invasive ant species that can cause anaphylaxis reported in nearly 20 states
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ants With Potentially Fatal Sting Spotted in 20 U.S. States
Americans should be on alert for a stinging insect that's spreading across the United States this June. So far, at least 20 states have detected Asian needle ants. They've been found mostly in the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States. However, some were spotted in Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Asian needle ants were first discovered in the United States in 1932. The U.S. Forest Service said it takes "an experienced eye" to positively identify them. Dan Suiter, a professor for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, spoke to ABC News about this invasive species. He has received calls from three separate people who suffered anaphylaxis after getting stung by an Asian needle ant. "In 25 years, I've had one phone call from an individual who was stung by a fire ant and suffered anaphylaxis, another one by something called a twig ant," Suiter told ABC News. "When I start getting calls annually about people who have been stung by an Asian needle ant, it says to me that there's a trend there." If you're stung by an Asian needle ant you could also develop symptoms such as hives and itching, low blood pressure, swollen tongue or throat, nausea, dizziness, weak or rapid pulse, and difficulty breathing. Asian needle ants usually nest themselves in dark, hidden hardwood habitats. Their population typically grows during the warmer weather months. Suiter is recommending that people remove nesting sites of hardwood. That's if they're going to be working outside this summer. Ants With Potentially Fatal Sting Spotted in 20 U.S. States first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025
