Venomous Ant Population with Fatal Sting is Surging in the U.S., Scientists Warn

The Asian needle ant, an invasive species first spotted in the U.S. over 90 years ago, is surging through the Southeast U.S. and the Eastern seaboard

• The Asian needle ant is spreading in the U.S. and can trigger severe allergic reactions, and in extreme cases, death
• Experts say the venomous ant can pierce clothing and is most active in the summer months
• The species is spreading fast through the Southeast U.S. and has reached as far north as New York

A venomous ant that can cause anaphylaxis is spreading rapidly through the United States.

The Asian needle ant, an invasive species native to Asia, was first spotted in the U.S. over 90 years ago, but experts say its population has recently surged, posing a new threat to people, especially those with insect sting allergies. Its sting can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), symptoms of anaphylaxis may include swelling of the tongue or throat, constriction of the airway, difficulty breathing, wheezing, a weak or rapid heart rate, skin reactions like hives, itching, flushed or pale skin, dizziness, vomiting, fainting, and in extreme cases, death.

Though the Asian needle ant isn’t known to be aggressive, its stinger can pierce through clothing and reach skin. Swarming for the insects typically begins in the spring and continues through late summer (July and August); This is when the ants are most likely to appear in homes.

“We are now considering it a medically important pest,” Dan Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, 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.”

In 2024, Suiter responded to three incidents involving people in Georgia who suffered anaphylaxis after being stung by the ant. The species’ numbers are soaring throughout the Southeastern U.S., including Georgia, the Carolinas, and Alabama — but the insects have also been spotted as far north as New York.

The Asian needle ant is highly adaptable. It can thrive in warm and cool climates, urban or rural areas, and is often found nesting under doormats, in potted plants, logs, firewood, or piles of leaves. They’re also drawn to hardwood and are known to feed on human garbage. Unlike most ants, they don’t form orderly trails — instead, they move alone and more sporadically.

“This behavioral versatility is allowing the Asian needle ant to move into forests, rural areas, and urban environments at the same time,” explained Dr. Mary Bates of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “Because it can tolerate cooler temperatures, it could spread into a broad range of territory.”

It’s difficult to predict who will experience anaphylaxis from an Asian needle ant sting. Still, Suiter recommends that people who’ve reacted to other insect stings, like those from hornets or honeybees, speak with their doctors about carrying an EpiPen in defense against ant bites.