Invasive Ants with Fatal Sting Now on 2 Missouri Borders

I know ants serve a vital purpose in Missouri's ecosystem, but I'm not a fan. There are, however, invasive ants that don't belong in Missouri that have now been reported on two different borders and their sting can be fatal.

I saw this advisory shared today by CBS News. It's a warning about the fast spread of an invasive ant whose sting can be life-threatening. I had never heard of this pest before, but I now know more than I want to know. This is the Asian Needle Ant.

What does an Asian Needle Ant look like?

The USDA says they are "small, shiny, dark brown to black, with the end of the antennae and the legs being a lighter orange-brown".  They say that these ants destroy native ant colonies that are vital in dispersing seeds. The good news is they are not quite as aggressive to humans as fire ants, but authorities warn "the sting can result in life-threatening anaphylaxis, an acute allergic response".

Why are these ants now a danger for Missouri?

Ant Maps, which is tracking this invasive species, now shows there are reports of Asian Needle Ants on two different Missouri borders in Arkansas and Tennessee.

What do you do if you see this invasive ant in Missouri?

You need to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation immediately. If this pest were to spread across the state like it's already done in the southeast, it could be devastating to the ecosystem including agriculture.