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USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US
Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US Asian needle ants have been linked to multiple cases of life-threatening reactions and the mysterious ants keep spreading. Show Caption Hide Caption See Nat Geo's photo challenge winners National Geographic wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory announced the winners of a photo challenge celebrating the Earth's beauty. An invasive species of stinging, carnivorous ants have been slowly spreading in about 20 states. Last year at least three cases of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions were reported in Georgia, making this little (and little-known) insect a growing problem. "Asian needle ants" will reach their yearly peak numbers in July and August, but it will still be tough to spot them, even if you get stung by one. They are so small and blend in so well that stings often occur when someone — perhaps while gardening or moving wood – unknowingly disturbs them. "Imagine somebody inserting a needle directly into your flesh," said Benoit Guénard, a professor of ecology and entomology at the University of Hong Kong who studied the ants in North Carolina. "It's a very sharp, acute pain but it's quite local." Tracking them has long been a challenge, but researchers now say the spread of the Asian needle ant shouldn't be ignored. "They're pretty widespread on the East coast," said. Daniel Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia. "If you live in an area which is dominated by hardwood trees, there's a good chance there are Asian needle ants underfoot." For some, the stings can be life-threatening. For others, it's an unusual pain that can come and go for hours. That's just one of the mysteries of Brachyponera chinensis — roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China" - though they're actually native to China, Japan and the Koreas. Hard to track, hard to kill The invasive insect was first discovered in the United states in 1932 in Decatur, Georgia, but was only recognized as a serious pest in the past two decades as it began to spread significantly throughout the southeast. Now it's found as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Florida, as well as in Wisconsin and Washington state, according to the site There are reports they have also appeared in Texas. These ants are carnivorous, seeking out prey such as flies, beetles, grasshoppers and their favorites: termites. Given their hunting habits, they don't lay down scent trails as some ants do, making it difficult to track them back to their colonies and eradicate. "Most ants are in-your-face invasive, they lay a pheromone trail to get to food. You can't miss an ant trail that's half an inch wide," said Suiter. "These remain hidden." The dark brown ants live in colonies in leaf litter, rotted logs, firewood and mulch. They often occur in residential settings, including parks, and urban areas, finding homes and under railroad ties, logs, bricks, and pavers. They can also nest in potted plants, under wood piles, and in lawns. "People are most often stung when they're working in their garden," said Theresa Dellinger, a diagnostician at the insect identification lab at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. "Nobody likes to be putting in their bedding plants and then suddenly have unexpected pain." The worker ants' bodies are about 0.2 inches long, small, dark and shiny but with lighter orange legs and antennae. "They have a long jaw and a big stinger on the business end," Dellinger said. Although they're relatively long and thin, the "needle" in their name actually comes from their Japanese name, Oo-hari-ari, which means "giant needle ant' and refers to size of their stinger, she said. It's very possible to learn to live with Asian needle ants, just as we've learned to live with bees, said Andrew Johnston, an insect diagnostician at Purdue University's Department of Entomology. "They're not aggressive, they don't swarm the way fire ants do," he said. "Wear gloves and pay attention to what you're grabbing." Because the ants like to live in moist areas and around wood, keeping loose logs and firewood up off the ground so they stay dry is one way to avoid infestations, said Suiter. And if you're sensitive to insect stings, suggests Dellinger, "carry an EpiPen." A painful, long-lasting sting Guénard has been stung by many different ant and insect species but said Asian needle ants are the only ones he knows of where the pain is very acute at first, then disappears and then can come back over and over again. "The first, initial pain lasted a few seconds. Then about five minutes later, when the pain had eased, I felt 'ouch!' as if somebody had stung me again in the same place. The pain continues to reoccur in the same place, it disappears and then comes back," said Guénard. "For me, it goes on for about two hours," he said. "But I know in some people it lasts for as much as 24 to 48 hours." In a small number of cases it can also be deadly. The sting can cause allergic reactions and in 1% of victims, the venom can result in deadly anaphylactic shock. Decades of mystery There's a lot researchers don't yet understand about why these invasive ants only began to significantly spread in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. Native to China, Japan and Korea, the Asian needle ant was first identified in Georgia in 1932 but probably arrived here well before that. "It's very likely the ants were introduced in the early 20th century because by 1934 they were already found in three states, so clearly they hadn't just arrived," Guénard said. Because they live in dirt and mulch, Guénard speculates that they might have come into the United States in the root balls of trees being imported from Asia. What puzzles researchers is the timing of their spread. The ants remained relatively localized well into the 1970s, research shows. In 1962 a very thorough inventory of the ants of North Carolina was conducted by entomologist W. G. Carter. "He never found them," said Guénard. Then between 1991 and 2017, Asian needle ants spread across North Carolina and are now found across the state. "Something happened," Guénard said. "I could not tell you exactly what." The spread of this invasive species is causing ecological damage as they spread, research shows. Because they are predators, Asian needle ants hunt native insects that have evolved to have important roles in local ecosystems. For example, while no one wants termites in their home, in the forest they are critical part in the health of the woods. "They're very important because they help with the decomposition of dead wood and other organic matter," Guénard said. Research has also shown that local native ants are an important part of seed dispersal for some plant and tree species. If the Asian needle ants take over their territory, the seeds don't get spread. "The seeds just die rather than being dispersed," he said. As the climate warms and becomes wetter in some areas, the extent of where these ants can thrive is growing and they're expected to invade new regions. The amount of North America that could become suitable is expected to increase as much as 75% over the next 50 or so years, according to Guénard's previous research. How dangerous are Asian needle ants? Asian needle ants aren't as aggressive as fire ants and will mostly just run away when they encounter humans. However, they will defensively sting if they feel pressure, for example from someone reaching into a pile of wood, mulch or soil near their nest. The ants can pose a health risk because their venom can produce allergic reactions in some individuals. Virginia Tech encourages anyone who is allergic to bee stings to seek immediate medical attention if they begin to experience breathing problems or other allergic reactions after being stung by an Asian needle ant. A survey of people who live in an ant-habitat area of Korea found that 2.1% of those bitten experienced systemic allergic reactions, including 1.2% who went into anaphylaxis. The danger appeared to be highest in people who had experienced repeated stings over time. There is no national repository of Asian needle ant health problems, but when Guénard maintained a website about the insects while he was conducting research in North Carolina, he received reports of 21 cases of health problems, in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington. D. C. Of those case, at least 12 individuals reported having severe allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock. The cases involved people moving logs, gardening and even while swimming, when young female ants flying to establish new colonies fell into swimming pools. The stinging events were especially frequent during the summer swarming period from April to September, with a peak in May to July. In Georgia, Suiter got three calls about cases of anaphylactic shock after Asian needle ant stings last year. "I fully expect that some people who end up in the emergency room were stung by them but didn't realize it," he said. There is concern that people who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects may be at an increased risk of anaphylaxis from Asian needle ants. Symptoms reported by the USDA can include: Skin reactions include hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Constriction of the airway, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Swollen tongue or throat. Weak and rapid pulse. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dizziness or fainting. Psychological symptoms, such as a feeling of impending doom. Unlike stings from invasive fire ants, the sting of an Asian needle ant does not produce a blister. What can you do about Asian needle ants This particular variety of ant is more difficult to eradicate than other ant species because they don't lay pheromone trails that can be disrupted or easily used to get the ants to take poison back to their nests. Instead they use a process known as tandem carrying. "One worker ant will pick up another worker ant and drag it over to the food source to show it where it is," Dellinger said. That makes baiting them difficult, especially because their colonies – typically fairly small and flat – are hard to spot. "We suggest a protein-based bait for this species, and it can take some time for these ants to take the poison back to the colony," she said. So far there is no formalized management recommendation for the species. One study published found good luck with using bait that included extracts from termite skin. Dellinger said broad spraying isn't helpful and will actually harm other important garden species. "Try to treat the nest," she said. Management, rather than eradication, is the goal. That can include removing mulch in areas where the ants might pose a problem, elevating woodpiles so they're not damp underneath, carefully watching for colonies (which can take time) and only baiting areas where there are definitely ants. It's also not easy to identify the Asian needle ants as they look similar to other ant species. "There are a lot of ants out there," Dellinger said. "We get out the microscope." She recommended contacting the local agricultural extension if identification isn't certain. "It's a free service and they can help identify what's on your property."
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
New penguin documentary: Healthy dose of cute
British wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory spent more than two years documenting penguin populations across the globe for Secrets of the Penguins, a new three-part series. A penguin chick is one of the many stars of Disney Plus' new docuseries. Picture Supplied Penguins are super cool. They are birds, but they cannot fly, let alone strike any resemblance to their other feathered cousins. They fall in love, they live in colonies and enjoy environments that would make most humans freeze, pouring sweat or, in the case of African penguins, settle down with sea views on Cape Town's southern coast. Robben Island was also theirs long before people moved in. There's a new documentary series on Disney Plus that, in three episodes, crams in healthy doses of cute, a lot of hanging out and some spectacular learnings. British wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory spent more than two years documenting penguin populations across the globe for Secrets of the Penguins, a new three-part series. From emperor chicks in Antarctica to desert-loving colonies on the Namibian coast and the endangered African penguins of Cape Town, the series explores never-before-seen behaviours, unusual and curious social bonds, and what these birds can teach us about our own lives. Filmed in remote places Gregory has filmed in some of the most remote and unforgiving places on the planet, but it is South Africa's penguins that have left a lasting impression. 'They have got life figured out,' he said. 'These birds do not need to put up with freezing temperatures and icebergs. They just hang out on bougie tropical beaches.' Also Read: How to kick off your next adventure in nature Gregory said the African penguins filmed in Southern Africa do not all enjoy the same easy living. 'We filmed a really cool population that lives in this crazy cave on the coast of Namibia in the desert,' he said. 'What I love about penguins is that they are full of surprises. I think when most people think of penguins, they think of icebergs and snowy mountains in Antarctica. But there are 18 species, and they live all over the place.' Penguin chicks gone viral One scene from the series has already gone viral. Hundreds of emperor penguin chicks are seen launching themselves off a 15-metre ice cliff into the ocean below. 'They had never seen the ocean. They had never been in the ocean,' he said. 'It is like the human equivalent of turning up to your first swimming lesson and being told the teacher is not there and you must jump off the Olympic diving board. It is absolutely insane.' Gregory said he knew that moment would break through online. 'I remember calling a couple of the National Geographic execs from the field and telling them we had just filmed the penguin secret of all secrets. The reason it connected is that everybody knows what it feels like to be on the edge of a cliff. That kind of challenge is instantly understandable.' He believes that wildlife stories that resonate emotionally also help carry the conservation message. 'Anytime we are talking about wildlife instead of the latest music or political carnage, we are doing well. 'Penguins are indicators of ocean health. If they are in trouble, we are in trouble too. We need a healthy ocean for our survival.' SA's important role in conservation With African penguins classified as endangered, Gregory said South Africans have a more critical role to play than most. 'A lot of penguin species live very far away from people and their sole threat is climate change. But African penguins face more immediate issues like overfishing and disturbance of their nesting habitats. People are directly responsible for those. So South Africans can do a lot more to look after penguins than many other countries can.' Gregory also added that local scientists play an important role in bringing these stories to life. 'Scientists spend more time with these animals than anyone. We are always trying to figure out what the penguins are going to do next. Working with scientists is invaluable.' Gregory started his career assisting celebrated National Geographic photographer Steve Winter and as a solo producer has gone on to create, make and host nine projects for the channel. His previous series Animals Up Close was recently renewed for a second season. In 2020, he became the youngest ever cinematography winner at the BAFTAs for his work alongside Sir David Attenborough. Now Read: Six decades, two families, one story
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
New National Geographic Docuseries Uncovers the Secret Life of Penguins
A new National Geographic docuseries has provided an unprecedented look into the complex lives of penguins, revealing their world really isn't as black and white as one might think. The three-part documentary, titled ' Hosted by Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory and narrated by actress Blake Lively, the series takes viewers to the ends of the Earth to witness fascinating penguin behaviors never before captured on film. 'There were so many moments that stood out—behaviors that were rumored but none of us had ever seen before, let alone filmed,' the British cinematographer told The Epoch Times. 'The ones that stick out are a rockhopper penguin fighting off a sea lion something like 70 times its size, African penguins inside a cave in the Namib Desert, and rockaroni—from a macaroni penguin dad and a rockhopper penguin mom—chicks on camera for the first time.' However, Gregory said the biggest moment he helped capture on film was the jaw-dropping dive a group of emperor penguin chicks took while base-jumping off a 50-foot cliff. Related Stories 4/30/2025 3/28/2025 'I'd heard that they did this, but it had never been filmed before,' he said. 'Through teamwork, new tech, hard graft, and a big dollop of luck, we somehow pulled it off. It was unreal.' Gregory and his team of more than 70 scientists and other filmmakers spent over two years documenting the various species of penguins in some of the most extreme environments. The crew's travels included the rocky beaches of Cape Town, the desert caves of Namibia in South Africa, the icy shores of the Atlantic's South Georgia Island, and the tropical Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They even endured subzero temperatures in Antarctica's Ekstrom Ice Shelf, which is home to a colony of 20,000 emperor penguins, the largest of all the penguin species. 'We essentially lived with the penguins for months, and one team—Pete McCowen, Helen Hobin, and Alex Ponniah—were based in Antarctica for nine months,' Gregory said. 'So they literally couldn't see their family or friends that whole time. They sacrificed a lot to be able to film some of the moments viewers will see in the first episode, 'Heart of the Emperors.'' Gregory spent two and a half months on the ice shelf, camping a mile away from the penguin colony, to film the beginning and end of that episode. 'All day and all night we could hear and see the squawking,' the filmmaker said. 'During a big storm, five of eight tents ripped and filled up completely with snow—a suboptimal experience that required a lot of digging.' Bertie Gregory filming in Atka Bay, Antarctica. Ben Joiner/National Geographic Among the many incredible behaviors the researchers observed while filming the docuseries, which was executive produced by James Cameron, were the striking similarities the marine birds had with humans. 'Penguins are much more like us than you would think. Many mate for life, return to the same nest year on year, and they form tight social bonds with others around them—not just between the adult pairs but also form 'friendships' between unrelated penguins,' Gregory said. 'My camera colleagues Pete and Helen filmed a magical moment when two penguin parents introduced their chicks to each other. It's just like what people do—we socialize, and to see the chicks mirroring each other's behaviour was incredible.' Gregory, who has previously filmed penguins for past projects, said his experience working on 'Secrets of the Penguins' greatly deepened his admiration for the stocky seabirds. 'I've always had a profound respect for the natural world, but working on this project has given me a deeper appreciation of just how resilient penguins are,' he said. 'Some are up against monumental changes—not just their environment, but also what they eat and how they navigate the world. Despite all of the changes, they keep going. They're truly remarkable creatures.' Emperor penguin chicks jumping off the ice shelf edge for their first swim, Atka Bay, Antarctica. Bertie Gregory/National Geographic Gregory said he hoped viewers would have a similar takeaway after seeing the docuseries. 'I hope after watching 'Secrets of the Penguins,' viewers will walk away not only appreciating their adorable characteristics, but will also have a greater interest in protecting them and their habitats,' he said. 'What I found very moving is that most emperor penguins will go their entire lives without ever seeing a human. They'll never meet the cause of their greatest threat. It's a powerful reminder that our actions impact lives we'll never encounter—and with that comes a real responsibility.'
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Nat Geo announces winners of photo challenge: See images celebrating Earth's beauty
Nat Geo announces winners of photo challenge: See images celebrating Earth's beauty From a group of playful otters vying over a fresh fish to weeping plum trees glistening in the rain, the winners of a National Geographic contest open to amateur photographers have captured the diversity and beauty of Earth. National Geographic explorer and wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory announced the winners of the "NatGeoYourShotOurHome" contest on Wednesday, April 30, saying they all showcase "the majesty of our wonderful planet." The British filmmaker, who served as guest curator for the competition, told USA TODAY that he was honored to help select the winners, remarking how the collection shows "just how lucky we are to share this planet with such an incredible diversity of life." "From the bank mynas (birds) learning to live amongst us to the beautiful social chaos of an otter family, from epic mountain sunsets to a delicate weeping plum tree - not to mention taking a closer look at the busy lives of ants," Gregory said about the winning selection. 'Every day should be Earth Day' The filmmaker, whose is hosting new Disney+ series "Secrets of the Penguins" added that though April is a designated month to celebrate the planet, "every day should be Earth Day." The challenge, which took place in April and ran through Earth Day on April 22, saw thousands of entries from Japan to Patagonia and beyond, Nat Geo said. See winners of NatGeoYourShotOurHome challenge Among the challenge winners is Hidenobu Suzuki, who submitted an unreal-looking photo taken in in the Suzuka Forest Garden in Japan. '"The weeping plum trees glistening in the rain looked so beautiful-just like a Japanese painting," Suzuki said. "I was so moved that I wrote this description: In the hush of rain, the weeping plum glistens-its petals, like silk, kissed by raindrops. Fallen blossoms whisper on the damp earth, a fleeting poem of transience." Another winner, Dhaval Bhadania based in Gujarat, India, described the moment he saw birds known as bank mynas and captured a winning image. "During one of my regular Sunday outings, while passing below an overbridge, I noticed these bank mynas coming out from a hole in the bridge wall," he said. "The mynas had made their nest in the hole. I waited there and watched them for some time. These types of bird behaviors and unexpected sightings prompt me to capture more amazing moments and share my visual stories." Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Meet the people going to the ends of the earth for your viral animal videos
, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The Galapagos – clouds settle on what looks like verdant mesas. Instead, they are active volcanoes, though not rumbling at the moment. On the black lava beach below, giant tortoises and land iguanas lumber past, ignoring one another. In the water, a small head bops. A penguin. It seems so unlikely here. Loading To be fair, penguins are the embodiment of unlikely: flightless birds that waddle, acclimated to Earth's harshest conditions. Over the years, some ventured to hotter climes, and here they are, in the South Pacific. Their stories are told in Secrets of the Penguins, now streaming on Disney+. To show some of their habitats, National Geographic-Linblad Expeditions took a few journalists to what feels like the middle of nowhere. The fourth in James Cameron's Secrets Of series (following looks at whales, elephants and octopus), this three-part documentary has Blake Lively narrating – following Sigourney Weaver, Natalie Portman and Paul Rudd respectively. Host and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory marvels at how adorable they are, and how fascinating. He recalls observing chicks reacting to their parents leaving and noticing a few juveniles vanishing into the horizon. He followed. 'I was thinking, 'They're just going to turn around and go back the way they came,'' Gregory says. 'They'll realise they've made a mistake. But they didn't. They just all started to jump off.' By the end, about 700 emperor penguins had jumped off a 15-metre ice cliff into waters where killer whales lurk. No one had recorded this phenomenon on film before. 'We released the clip of that early on social media, and it just went gangbusters,' he says. Having a video go viral is a goal among naturalists. The thinking is that, once made aware, people care. And if they care, they will help protect the planet. The leaping penguins are in the first of the three episodes timed for Earth Day. Some of the series, naturally, unfolds on the kind of frozen tundra where we're accustomed to seeing penguins. A team spent the winter in Antarctica at the Neumayer Station III, a German research centre, where temps dipped to -58 degrees. During nine months, director of photography Pete McCowen, recalls, 'The polar night, 65 days of not seeing the sun was okay, but it definitely had an effect. I wouldn't say it was depressing, but it kind of subdued me.' Bertie Gregory, Ralph Bower and Spencer Millsap posing for a photo while pushing icebergs out of the way of the boat with metal poles. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory The production team had to prepare for potential problems such as wires freezing or lenses cracking, since you can't expect Amazon deliveries in the dead of Antarctica's winter. The careful planning paid off, and the team notched several firsts. In one sequence, a male emperor penguin prepares for his prime paternal duty – hatching a just-laid egg. Practising with a chunk of ice, carefully nudging it from his mate toward him. He must be careful, but quick. If the egg lingers more than a minute on the ice, the embryo freezes. Emperor chicks peeking out over a mount. Credit: National Geographic/Alex Ponniah Another spectacular first captured was a rockhopper mum in the Falklands telling off a southern sea lion 70 times her size. Executive producers explain that they consult scientists before laying claim to 'the first' and all must pass National Geographic's stringent vetting process. It's also critical to find the right host – curious, likable, a bit of a daredevil but with a scientific background. The sunny Bertie Gregory, a BAFTA-winning zoologist, fits the bill. '[We needed] an authentic storyteller, someone who already knew about penguins and cared. They were the two most important things,' says Ruth Roberts, executive producer. 'Bertie was perfect.' Bertie Gregory photographing Galapagos penguins with marine iguanas. Credit: National Geographic/Zubin Sarosh Gregory's emotions broadcast across his face in a way that allows viewers to experience moments with him. Watching him mourn the loss of a frozen empire chick, it's clear he's genuinely sad yet well aware of the cycle of life. Sprinkled throughout the series are facts about the different penguin breeds, some of which mate for life. Emperor penguins can dive up to 528 metres and hold their breath for 32 minutes. Macaroni penguins eat 9.2 million tonnes of prey annually, making them the largest consumers of marine wildlife. And the Galapagos penguin – he of the little head bopping up in the South Pacific – is the northernmost breed, living on the equator. Two adult Galapagos penguins standing on a rock at the water's edge. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory As the sun beats down, they nestle into lava rocks and pant to cool off. Underwater, they speed by like torpedoes, racing past marine iguanas. These black reptiles have long tails that propel their swimming. They look like spawns of Godzilla as they navigate the crystalline waters of these remote islands, where Darwin formed his theories. This sort of aquatic adventure attracts those who enjoy deep-sea snorkeling and possess a fearless streak. 'I love penguins,' says Michelle Plane of Portarlington. 'There is nothing not to love about penguins. They are cute. They are funny. They are uncoordinated. You can see yourself as a clumsy teenager.' An aerial shot of a small part of Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands at sunset. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory That's just it; these creatures are adored. Seriously, if you meet someone who doesn't smile at the mention of penguins, think carefully about pursuing a friendship. Yet as much as we purport to love these 18 breeds, they're endangered by the climate crisis. Loading Protecting the pristine nature of this archipelago, the Ecuadoran government enforces strict rules about where and how visitors interact with this magical land, marked by almost alien landscapes. Rabida's red beach, a result of oxidised lava, looks like Mars. Blue-footed boobies and local marine birds perch on steep cliffs. Heading into this series three years ago, Gregory had two goals: to show us animal behaviour we hadn't seen before, and to demonstrate how climate change affects life everywhere. 'I hope [this] gets people talking about penguins again because they're in big trouble around the world,' Gregory says. 'And that's a problem for penguins, but also a problem for us.'
