From interrupting picnics to aerating the soil, each species of ant plays a vital role in the ecosystems they inhabit. While students may not always appreciate the important functions of ants, the environment depends on them.

The Asian Needle Ants present a new threat to many other ant species. Since the 1930s, researchers have documented the presence of the Asian Needle Ant in the United States. Recently, their presence has become more noticeable in urban areas. 

Asian Needle Ants, native to areas in Japan and Asia, are being found in areas that were once populated by the Argentine Ants. Although many students may not have noticed a difference in their local ant population, researchers have found the displacement surprising, considering that the Argentine Ants are globally invasive.  

Asian Needle Ants are able to prevail over their globally invasive counterparts because they are active earlier in the year than Argentine Ants. This allows them to establish their nests before Argentine Ants are awake, said Eleanor Rice, a doctoral candidate in entomology.  “It says what happens when two invasive species meet each other,” Rice said. 

Asian Needle Ants are able to thrive in colder temperatures, while many invasive ant species are confined to warmer areas. This allows Asian Needle Ants to move farther north into places such as Washington State and New York. Not only are they being found in these colder areas, but they are persisting and thriving.

“Asian Needle Ants present a danger,” Rice said. “People are very allergic to Asian Needle Ant stings. These ants are able to thrive in what is considered to be a very hostile environment. Argentine Ants are very hostile, and the fact that Asian Needle Ants are displacing them has many implications of where the Asian Needle Ants may exist and areas they may invade around the globe.” 

Asian Needle Ants are a threat to many other ant species as well as they move into their habitats. Rob Dunn, an assistant professor of biology, researched the displacement threat Asian Needle Ants present. When they move into a forest, they kick out the native ant species, or even eat them, Rice said.

This displacement is very harmful to the ecosystem.  “Ant species are big drivers in the health of the ecosystem,” Rice said. “Ants are responsible for turning soil, keeping the canopy healthy and planting seeds.” Asian Needle Ants are displacing those native ant species that carry out those functions.

There are environmental and health risks when it comes to the Asian Needle Ants, and in the long-term there is the potential for considerable environmental damage. Researchers are currently looking into the long term effects of the Asian Needle Ants. 

An important factor will be identifying the current location of the Asian Needle ant and monitoring their spread, Rice said. Many people are not aware of the presence of Asian Needle Ants in their area – most people don’t notice ants until a full blown infestation occurs. 

Awareness will be a large part of stopping the progression of the Asian Needle Ant, Rice said.  Last year, she wrote Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Ants, a book that she said she hopes will help the general public identify the ants in their area.