The Mississippi State University Extension Service is urging residents to learn more about the invasive Asian needle ant after the species was found in the state, saying it can pose both health and ecological concerns.
MSU Extension said the Asian needle ant, Brachyponera chinensis, is small — about one-fifth of an inch long — dark brown to black, shiny and marked by a single large node on its waist known as the petiole. The species was first reported in Mississippi in 2013, and aside from a single confirmed colony in Lowndes County in 2025, other findings have been isolated, the agency said.
MSU Extension said the ants are not considered aggressive and generally avoid people, with most stings occurring accidentally. Like many ants, Asian needle ants use a stinger to inject venom that can cause a painful defensive sting; the venom has been linked to life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, though such reactions are not especially common.
Researchers said the ants are usually found outdoors in wooded areas, nesting under leaf litter, pine needles and rotting logs. They said the species can build large populations that outcompete, displace or prey on other insects, posing ecological concerns in areas where infestations become established. MSU researchers are continuing to track the spread and monitor infested sites to study effects on native species and local ecosystems.
To reduce possible harborage, Extension officials recommend moving firewood piles away from homes and removing piles of leaves or pine needles. Residents who believe they have seen Asian needle ants are encouraged to submit physical specimens and collection information to the MSU Extension Insect ID Lab to help researchers track the species’ spread. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
