Deadly invasive insect causing ‘acute pain’ invades US — prompting safety officials warning: ‘Be aware’
The invasive Asian needle ant, known for its extremely painful sting, is spreading across 20 U.S. states, prompting health and safety warnings. The ants, which are difficult to detect due to their nesting habits and lack of visible trails, can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, with three deaths reported in Georgia in 2024. In addition to human health risks, the ants threaten native species and forest ecosystems by disrupting seed dispersal.
- ▪The Asian needle ant, originally from China, was first detected in the U.S. in 1932 and has since spread across 20 states.
- ▪A sting from the needle ant causes sharp, acute pain that can last for hours and may lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
- ▪These ants are hard to detect because they nest under stones or in damp wood and do not form visible foraging trails.
- ▪The ants threaten ecological balance by outcompeting native species responsible for seed dispersal.
- ▪Protein-based pesticide baits are currently the most effective control method, but no formal eradication strategy exists.
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Wildlife Deadly invasive insect causing ‘acute pain’ invades US — prompting safety officials warning: ‘Be aware’ By Ben Cost Published May 5, 2026, 10:18 a.m. ET The US is being taken over by the invasive needle ant from East Asia, whose sting can cause excruciating pain and even a deadly allergic reaction. Chris Hartley / Missouri Botanical Garden Another deadly Asian superbug is invading the US. Officials are raising the alarm as invasive ants from Asia are sweeping their way across the US, threatening people with their potentially deadly sting. Originally hailing from China, these social insects were first discovered in the US in 1932, when they cropped up in Georgia — although officials suspected the bugs were present stateside before then.
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