Corrections and Clarifications: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the source of the photo.
The Joro spider, a colorful arachnid that can grow to the size of the palm of your hand, has quickly spread across the Southeast and could soon invade the East Coast.
Experts don’t yet know if or when the spider will come to Indiana. But because the Jorospin’ fangs cannot bite people or poison pets or large animals, it won’t be a major concern.
Timothy Gibb, an entomologist at Purdue University, said the Joro spider’s presence won’t be “horribly remarkable,” but there’s another creepy crawler that is pausing it: the Asian needle ant, which was recently discovered in southern Indiana. .
From USA Today: A spider the size of the palm of your hand could soon invade the East Coast, scientists say
While the ant traveled for several years through southern states such as Florida and Georgia, it was discovered last week in the Evansville area — the furthest north the Asian needle ant has ventured, Gibb said.
It’s the first ant in Indiana to have a stinger and a venom sac, Gibb said. Experts have been assuring Hoosiers for years that there are no ants with stingers in the area, but that is no longer the case.
“Other ants will bite,” he said, “but this is really new.”
The Asian needle ant, brachyponera chinensis, very similar in appearance to another invasive ant species in Indiana, the Argentine ant. But don’t let that fool you.
In addition to their stings, the needle ant can infest homes as well as forest and outdoor areas, putting them “close to people,” Gibb said. This differs from fire ants, which prefer to stay outdoors, and increases the ant’s ability to survive in cold temperatures.
“Because it gets into homes, it’s somewhat protected from the extreme temperatures that … sometimes limit it,” Gibb said, “and it also increases the chances of it going with people, hitchhiking.”
More: Here are 5 of the most damaging invasive animals and insects wreaking havoc in Indiana
For most, Asian needle ant stings will not be harmful, just painful. However, people who are hyperallergic to stings from insects such as bees or wasps should be prepared with a treatment such as an EpiPen.
Gibb said that while he hopes people don’t panic, they should be aware of the dangers this ant can pose.
“It can be deadly,” Gibb said. “In most cases, it’s just going to hurt like crazy.”
Contact IndyStar trending reporter Claire Rafford at [email protected] or on Twitter @claireraford†
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Asian needle ant stings are painful, in rare cases deadly
