Invasive Asian Needle Ants Confirmed in Mississippi
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Researchers at Mississippi State University (MSU) are tracking the spread of an invasive species of ant, the Asian needle ant, which has recently been confirmed in over a dozen states, including Mississippi. First documented in the state in 2013, these shiny black ants have proliferated along the East Coast and have established isolated populations in Louisiana and Arkansas.
JoVonn Hill, director of the Mississippi Entomological Museum and assistant professor at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, noted that the Asian needle ant, comparable in size to fire ants, is typically found in shaded areas beneath logs, mulch, or leaves. While these ants can sting, they are not aggressive; however, the stings may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
Joe MacGown, the ant curator at the museum, shared a personal experience, stating, "After being stung three times, I had a mild fever and had to sit down for a while. I never experienced that with other ants." Researchers are concentrating their efforts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Oxford, areas identified as having established populations of these ants. Plans are underway to extend monitoring to northern Mississippi.
The main objectives of the research include providing identification services, conducting surveys, and monitoring the ongoing spread of the Asian needle ants in the region. Hill emphasized that the focus should not be on fear but on education, saying, "It’s not about being scared — it’s about being informed." MacGown echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of awareness surrounding the presence and behavior of this invasive species.
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