New Fear Unlocked — Asian Needle Ants!

A potentially deadly new insect species has arrived in the U.S… and we’re not sleeping anytime soon!

U.S. Forestry Service

Asian needle ants — yes, that’s really what they’re called, though their scientific name is actually Brachyponera chinensis — are originally native to areas in Japan and the Koreas. The species has been seen in America as far back as 1932, but has only recently started to “cause problems in North America after being relatively unnoticed for many years,” according to the U.S. Forest Service. The species has recently been spotted in several states, including Washington, Florida, Texas, and Mississippi.

The Forest Service went on to tell CBS News that the Asian needle ants, which measure 0.2 inches in length, are dark brown or black at the end of the antennae, with lighter orange-brown legs, and are adept at hiding. The agency explained, ”Unlike many invasive species that tend to colonize areas in the wake of natural or human disturbance, Asian needle ants are capable of invading undisturbed forest areas where they nest under and within logs and other debris, under stones, and in leaf litter.”

The species preys on other insects and are capable of displacing ant species that are critical for seed dispersal, according to the U.S. Forest Service, meaning that this “invasive species could have dramatic, long-term negative effects on forest understory.”

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According to Dan Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, the ant’s sting can also be life-threatening to humans, especially to those who are at greater risk of going into anaphylactic shock from an insect’s sting. According to Suiter, “It injects venom that can harm you. Its sting can be life-threatening.” He goes on to further say, “If you suffer from anaphylaxis, you should really know what this ant looks like, and it might be smart to carry an EpiPen.”

The Forest Service advises citizens to be especially vigilant in areas with logs, rotting wood, or rocks where the ants can nest, and report sightings to the proper authorities. “Unfortunately, as with many invasive species, it appears Asian needle ants are here to stay,” the agency said in a statement.

U.S. Forestry Service

The potentially deadly Asian needle ant is appearing in greater and greater numbers in the U.S. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates.

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What would you do if you saw an Asian needle ant? Let us know in the comments below.