This Tiny Ant in Indiana Can Cause Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions

Indiana is home to a species of ant that can cause anaphylaxis with a single sting. Here's what you need to know.

What Is the Asian Needle Ant and Where Did It Come From?

This tiny terror goes by the scientific name Brachyponera chinensis, or as it is more commonly known, the Asian Needle Ant. The species was first discovered in the United States in 1932, and had already infiltrated three states by that time.

Where You’re Most Likely to Find These Ants in Indiana

An invasive species in the United States, the ant's native habitats are found in China, Korea, and Japan, according to the USDA. However, it has easily made itself at home in the forests of North America, and even in leaf litter and mulch around Indiana homes.

Get our free mobile app

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 They can also occur near homes and businesses under mulch, pavers, landscape timbers, and other objects.

How Dangerous Is the Sting of an Asian Needle Ant?

The Asian Needle Ant may not be aggressive like other ant species, but it certainly can deliver a painful and even life-threatening sting. In addition to hives, itching, and skin flushing, the sting of an Asian Needle Ant can cause anaphylaxis, a serious health condition.

Who Is Most at Risk for Severe Reactions to Asian Needle Ants?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include nausea, vomiting, constriction of the airway, drop in blood pressure, and even death. Those who are "hypersensitive" to the stings of other insects like bees and wasps may be more likely to experience anaphylaxis as a result of an Asian Needle Ant Sting.

READ MORE: Do You Have This Neurotoxic Worm in Your Indiana Yard?

Why the Asian Needle Ant Is a Threat to Indiana’s Ecosystem

Not only are Asian Needle Ants invasive and dangerous to humans, they are also dangerous to the environment. Because they displace native ant species that are critical for our ecosystem, scientists say that the Asian Needle Ant could have "dramatic, long-term negative effects" on our forests, too.

To learn more about Asian Needle Ants, visit the USDA Forest Service, and then keep scrolling to see seven invasive insects found in Indiana that should be removed immediately.