麻豆传媒AVentomologists study expansion of Asian needle ant in Mississippi
Contact: Kaitlyn Church
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥斅槎勾紸V researchers are tracking the spread of the Asian needle ant, a non-native species expanding across the Southeastern U.S., including parts of Mississippi.
Native to Asia, the needle ant was recorded in the U.S. in the 1930s but has expanded significantly since the 2000s.
鈥淲e first documented them in Mississippi in 2013, and they鈥檙e continuing to move,鈥 said JoVonn Hill, director of the Mississippi Entomological Museum and assistant professor in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e now abundant across the East Coast, with isolated populations into Louisiana and Arkansas.鈥
The sleek, shiny black ants are about the size of a fire ant and nest in shaded areas under logs, mulch or leaf litter. Though capable of stinging, they are not aggressive. Field observations show that Asian needle ants can quickly dominate shaded, damp habitats, displacing native ants and other insects.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e shy,鈥 said Joe MacGown, museum ant curator. 鈥淚f disturbed, they鈥檒l likely run鈥攂ut if trapped under clothing or threatened, they can sting.鈥
Some individuals may experience allergic reactions. 鈥淎fter being stung three times, I had a mild fever and had to sit down for a while,鈥 MacGown said. 鈥淚 never experienced that with other ants.鈥
As MAFES researchers continue to track the spread of the Asian needle ant, they鈥檙e monitoring infested sites to document changes in native species and community composition. Current efforts are focused on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Oxford, with expectations of continued expansion into northern Mississippi due to favorable climate conditions and human activity.
鈥淲e鈥檝e done extensive sampling in places like Oxford and down on the Coast鈥攁reas where we鈥檙e seeing established populations,鈥 Hill said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e conducting targeted surveys along the Alabama and Tennessee borders, the Gulf Coast and on public lands to map their range and evaluate their ecological impact. The primary goal is to provide identification services, survey and monitor the spread of the species over time.鈥
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen areas where Asian needle ants seem to dominate entire habitats,鈥 Hill said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 mostly anecdotal, but in places where we鈥檇 normally expect a diversity of native ants or beetles in leaf litter, we鈥檙e finding mostly鈥攐r only鈥擜sian needle ants.鈥
Hill and MacGown encourage the public to report suspected sightings of Asian needle ants by emailing clear photos to MacGown at jmacgown@entomology.msstate.edu. They emphasize that photos are a safe and effective way to help without risking stings.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e here, and they鈥檙e spreading,鈥 MacGown added. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not about being scared鈥攊t鈥檚 about being informed.鈥
麻豆传媒AV is taking care of what matters. Learn more at聽.