Invasive Ant Species With Painful Sting Found In Indiana: Report

EVANSVILLE, IN — An invasive ant species with a painful bite has been found in Indiana, according to a report from the Indianapolis Star.

The Asian needle ant was spotted in Evansville, the farthest north it has ever been spotted, Purdue University entomologist Timothy Gibb told the Star. The ant is well-traveled in many Southern states such as Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

The species, Brachyponera chinensis, has been in the U.S. since the 1930s but has more recently made its way to parts of Kentucky, according to entomologists from the University of Kentucky. The ant is black and grows bigger than common ants but is considered smaller than carpenter ants.

The Asian needle ant has a stinger and venom sac, leading to stings that can "hurt like crazy," Gibb said. Until the ant's appearance in Indiana, there were no ants with stingers in the state.

The sting is not usually dangerous to humans outside of its painful nature, but it is potentially lethal and can induce anaphylaxis in people who have allergic reactions to insect bites and stings, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Stings can cause a burning sensation and a "pins and needles feeling" for a couple weeks, according to UK entomologist Jonathan Larson.

There is growing concern of the environmental impact of the Asian needle ant in the United States, as the species appears to displace other types of ants that are necessary for seed dispersal, according to the Forest Service.

The Asian needle ant likes wooded areas and lives both outdoors and indoors, which puts the ant consistently in close contact with people. The ant's proclivity for living indoors shelters the species from harsh cold weather that would otherwise inhibit it, according to Gibb.