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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive Stinging Ants That Can Cause Anaphylaxis Are Becoming A Problem In The South
The Asian needle ant is a small, brownish ant that is often seen wandering alone. It has a sting that can cause anaphylaxis in some people. The Asian needle ant was first found in three Southeastern states in 1932 and now lives throughout the Southeast according to the U.S. Forest Service. Put aside your worries about fire ants for just a moment, because a less familiar ant with a nasty sting is becoming a problem in the South. The Asian needle ant is a small, brownish ant that is often seen wandering alone and has a sting that can cause anaphylaxis in some people. The ant has caused concern in Georgia, where one entomologist got three calls about serious anaphylactic reactions in 2024. "We are now considering it a medically important pest," Dan Suiter, an Orkin distinguished professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia, told Fox Weather. While there's no way to know who will have a reaction to the stings, Suiter says that anyone who carries an Epipen for other stinging insects should be exceptionally cautious. The Asian needle ant was first found in three Southeastern states in 1932 and has spread to many more since then, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The ant now lives throughout the Southeast and has traveled as far north as Wisconsin and upstate New York. It's also been found way out in Washington state. Unfortunately, the invasive insect limits the presence of native ants that are critical for dispersing seeds in forests. This threat to the native ants then also poses a the threat "to understory forbs like our beloved spring ephemerals - trillium, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, violets, etc. - through their decimation of native ants that disperse seeds," Dr. James T Vogt, Center Director of Southern Research StationCenter for Forest Assessment and Synthesis told Southern Living. Asian needle ants are black or brown with orangey legs. Because they look like so many other ants, Suiter recommends sending a photo to your local extension agent for identification. Then call a pest control company to set bait or treat nests. Asian needle ants are usually seen wandering alone rather than following other ants. They aren't aggressive, but can sting if they get in your clothing or you accidentally come into contact. Signs of anaphylaxis may include skin reactions, low blood pressure, a constricted airway or wheezing, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive insect poses health threat in 19 states, expert warns
An invasive species spreading across America has created a "medically important" and "life-threatening" threat, according to experts. Originally found in places like China and Korea, the Asian needle ant was first introduced to America in the 1930s, but was overlooked for nearly a century, according to Dan Suiter, a Georgia-based entomologist. "It never really garnered a lot of attention," Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, told Fox News Digital. Invasive Fish Competition Returns With Anglers Making 'Reel Rewards' The species has now spread to 19 U.S. states, and its bites sent three people to the hospital with anaphylactic shock last year, the expert warned. While it has spread mostly to southeastern states, researchers have also identified it in Washington. There is also a report from Texas, but it needs verification, according to Read On The Fox News App "This is something I thought needed to be brought to people's attention because it's just a hidden little critter," Suiter said. "You know, it's down in the leaf litter. It's in shaded areas with hardwood trees." The U.S. Forest Service stated in a research report that the sting of the Asian needle ant is its "most troubling characteristic." Man Finds 'Candy-like' Diamond While Exploring Arkansas State Park: 'Chance Of A Lifetime' "The sting ... it's odd," Suiter told Fox News Digital. "I've been stung by it … the pain will go away and then it comes back … there have been cases where the pain will come back days later." While only three cases last year have been traced back to the Asian needle ant, the professor said it's possible there are more. "I suspect there are people who have shown up in emergency rooms where physicians just didn't know what happened ... and it was an ant sting," he said. While most ants follow a "trail," the Asian needle ant comes on its own, and is "mostly predatory." "It's a cryptic ant," said Suiter. "You'll just see a single ant kind of wandering around, almost looking lost." Unlike other ant species, the Asian needle ant infests undisturbed forests, where it nests under logs, stones and leaf litter. The Federal Register defines invasive species as those that are nonnative (or alien) to the ecosystem and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. "Of great concern is the apparent ability of Asian needle ants to displace ant species that are critical seed dispersers," writes the Forest Service. According to Suiter, the Asian needle ant has "decimated" ant populations in native habitats all over American forests. When Asian needle ants invade forests, they can also impact native plants' ability to grow appropriately. They can also be found near homes and businesses under mulch, pavers, landscape timbers and other objects, according to the Forest Service. People who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects may be at increased risk of anaphylaxis from Asian needle ant stings and should exercise caution, according to the Forest Service. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter If possible when stung, collect the insect and bring it with you when being treated by a medical professional so they can confirm the cause. For more Health articles, visit If you haven't been stung but suspect you've come across the invasive Asian needle ant, it's recommended to contact your local county extension agent, who can connect you with appropriate resources to identify the article source: Invasive insect poses health threat in 19 states, expert warns
Fox News
15-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Invasive insect poses health threat in 19 states, expert warns
Print Close By Khloe Quill Published May 15, 2025 An invasive species spreading across America has created a "medically important" and "life-threatening" threat, according to experts. Originally found in places like China and Korea, the Asian needle ant was first introduced to America in the 1930s, but was overlooked for nearly a century, according to Dan Suiter, a Georgia-based entomologist. "It never really garnered a lot of attention," Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, told Fox News Digital. INVASIVE FISH COMPETITION RETURNS WITH ANGLERS MAKING 'REEL REWARDS' The species has now spread to 19 U.S. states, and its bites sent three people to the hospital with anaphylactic shock last year, the expert warned. While it has spread mostly to southeastern states, researchers have also identified it in Washington. There is also a report from Texas, but it needs verification, according to "This is something I thought needed to be brought to people's attention because it's just a hidden little critter," Suiter said. "You know, it's down in the leaf litter. It's in shaded areas with hardwood trees." The U.S. Forest Service stated in a research report that the sting of the Asian needle ant is its "most troubling characteristic." MAN FINDS 'CANDY-LIKE' DIAMOND WHILE EXPLORING ARKANSAS STATE PARK: 'CHANCE OF A LIFETIME' "The sting ... it's odd," Suiter told Fox News Digital. "I've been stung by it … the pain will go away and then it comes back … there have been cases where the pain will come back days later." "The pain will go away and then it comes back … [sometimes] days later." While only three cases last year have been traced back to the Asian needle ant, the professor said it's possible there are more. "I suspect there are people who have shown up in emergency rooms where physicians just didn't know what happened ... and it was an ant sting," he said. Environmental concern While most ants follow a "trail," the Asian needle ant comes on its own, and is "mostly predatory." "It's a cryptic ant," said Suiter. "You'll just see a single ant kind of wandering around, almost looking lost." Unlike other ant species, the Asian needle ant infests undisturbed forests, where it nests under logs, stones and leaf litter. The Federal Register defines invasive species as those that are nonnative (or alien) to the ecosystem and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Of great concern is the apparent ability of Asian needle ants to displace ant species that are critical seed dispersers," writes the Forest Service. According to Suiter, the Asian needle ant has "decimated" ant populations in native habitats all over American forests. When Asian needle ants invade forests, they can also impact native plants' ability to grow appropriately. They can also be found near homes and businesses under mulch, pavers, landscape timbers and other objects, according to the Forest Service. What to do if you've been stung People who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects may be at increased risk of anaphylaxis from Asian needle ant stings and should exercise caution, according to the Forest Service. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER If possible when stung, collect the insect and bring it with you when being treated by a medical professional so they can confirm the cause. For more Health articles, visit If you haven't been stung but suspect you've come across the invasive Asian needle ant, it's recommended to contact your local county extension agent, who can connect you with appropriate resources to identify the bug. Print Close URL
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive Asian needle ants are surging in US Southeast — and their bite can trigger anaphylaxis
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Invasive ants whose sting can cause fatal allergic reactions in humans are surging across the U.S. Southeast and beyond — and experts are growing increasingly alarmed. Asian needle ants (Brachyponera chinensis) went relatively unnoticed for many years following their introduction to the U.S. roughly a century ago, but entomologists recently documented their spread from a handful of southeastern states to New England and the Midwest. Asian needle ants are capable of invading many of North America's temperate forests, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and with the spring swarming season about to start, there's a chance that these ants could trigger medical emergencies up and down the country. "We are now considering it a medically important pest," Dan Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, told Fox Weather on April 29. Suiter said he recently noticed an uptick in Asian needle ant stings. In 2024, he received three calls from people who suffered anaphylaxis as a result of Asian needle ant stings — a high number compared with previous years, he told Fox Weather. Anaphylaxis is an acute, whole-body allergic reaction that happens very quickly in some people after exposure to certain medicines, foods or insect stings. Symptoms include a rapid and weak pulse, a skin rash, nausea and vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anaphylaxis can be fatal, because it causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that constrict the airways, which prevents breathing. These chemicals also trigger a dangerous drop in blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest. Related: 'The parasite was in the driver's seat': The zombie ants that die gruesome deaths fit for a horror movie Ants are common pests, but "it gets a little bit more serious when the sting of an insect can be life-threatening to people who suffer anaphylaxis," Suiter said. It is unclear how many people have died from Asian needle ant stings globally and in the U.S. since their introduction. Asian needle ants are small, shiny, dark brown-to-black ants native to China, Japan and Korea. They were first discovered in the U.S. in 1932 following introduction via shipping — but by that point they were already present in at least three southeastern states, according to the USDA. Asian needle ants are not aggressive or defensive of their nests in the way that fire ants (Solenopsis) are, but they will deliver a venomous sting if they get trapped inside human clothing or beneath someone's hand. People in affected areas should look out for these ants' light-orange antennae and leg-tips, although it takes an experienced eye to positively identify the species, according to the USDA. RELATED STORIES —'Hell ant' with scythe-like jaws may be oldest ant fossil ever discovered —Ants perform life saving operations — the only animal other than humans known to do so —Watch 5,000 fire ants create raft with their bodies to save colony and queen from death by swimming pool There's no way to predict who will get anaphylaxis after an Asian needle sting, but people who react adversely to other insect stings or carry an EpiPen should be especially cautious of these ants, Suiter said. Regardless of whether someone is vulnerable to anaphylaxis, Asian needle ant stings cause severe pain at the site of the sting, according to the USDA. There have been some control measures to limit the spread of Asian needle ants, but these efforts are extremely costly, according to the USDA. Asian needle ants typically nest beneath logs, stones and leaf litter, but they may also be found in wood piles. They do not form trails like other ants but instead walk alone and chaotically, Suiter said. "This critter kind of wanders around," he said. "It looks lost."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Venomous Ant With Possibly Fatal Sting Spreads in United States
An invasive venomous ant with a potentially deadly bite is spreading throughout the United States. The venomous Asian needle ant is spreading throughout the United States, and its sting can cause an allergic reaction that could send people to the hospital. Symptoms of the dangerous sting can include difficulty breathing, a weak or rapid heart rate, vomiting, hives, fainting, and tongue swelling. Dan Suiter, an Orkin distinguished professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia, recently opened up about the potential dangers of the invasive species of ant. "We are now considering it a medically important pest," Suiter told Fox Weather. "It gets a little bit more serious when the sting of an insect can be life-threatening to people who suffer anaphylaxis," Suiter continued. The invasive species is native to Asia. While it has been in the United States for more than 90 years, the population has recently exploded, spreading primarily throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Indiana, and Alabama. However, the potentially deadly ants have also been seen as far north as New York and Washington. Part of the reason for their spread is their resilience, as they can live in warm and cold weather and thrive in both forests and urban environments, nesting under doormats or in potted plants. They can even eat human garbage. 'This behavioral versatility is allowing the Asian needle ant to move into forests, rural areas, and urban environments at the same time. And because it can tolerate cooler temperatures, it could spread into a broad range of territory,' said Dr. Mary Bates of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The ant's swarming season typically stretches from the spring to late summer, during which time the ants may enter people's homes. It's worth noting that there's no way to predict who will experience anaphylaxis and have a potentially deadly reaction to the sting. However, people who have reacted adversely to other insect stings and carry an Epipen should remain especially on alert.
