An outbreak of electric ants has been detected for the second time in two years in the Var department, a discovery which worries scientists as this species may turn out to be dangerous for biodiversity.
Two colonies found in two years in the Var
This species of ants, nicknamed the “electric ant” because of the sensation of discharge caused by its sting was detected for the first time in mainland France two years ago near Toulon in the Var department. In recent days, this time it is near La Croix-Valmer, about thirty kilometers further east thata new colony was found.
A resident of Croix-Valmer alerted the authorities in November 2024 after spotting bites on his children. They have in fact complained of ant bites particularly painful and stingingresembling electric discharges, a characteristic of this species.
The electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) is however very small, not exceeding 1.5 millimeters. Orange-yellow or golden brown in color, this one is a harmful species originating fromSouth America described as aggressive. Indeed, bites are common when you get a little too close to a colony, as they fiercely defend their territory.
Until 2022, the date of its first discovery on French soil, this species had not been observed only once on the European continentin the Malaga region in southern Spain. However, this harmful and invasive ant seems increasingly spreading across our continent.
A dangerous species, particularly for biodiversity
This species of ant is, since the year 2022, placed on the list of species of concern for the European Union. Indeed, according to researchers, this is located in the top 2 most problematic species of invasive ants in the world. The electric ant can indeed prove to be beneficial, on the one hand for Man but also, and above all, for biodiversity.
Its sting, very painful, is similar to a nettle sting, in stronger and much longer because the feeling of pain and/or discomfort may persist up to 3 hours. So imagine dozens of successive bites during an unfortunate encounter with a colony. Finally, the sting of the electric ant can also cause anaphylactic shock for people with allergies.
It is also important to take into account that the sting of this ant sometimes causes blindness in our pets when they are stung in the eye area. Thus, when these ants are present, outdoor activities can quickly become very limited or even impossible, as this species is so aggressive.
However, it is for biodiversity that this species is most dangerous. Indeed, its presence is accompanied systematically of a reduction in the biodiversity of insects and invertebrates in a given sector. Olivier Blight, an ant specialist at the University of Avignon, for example, was able to cite in an interview the example of New Caledonia where, “when you walk in a forest invaded by the electric ant […] we no longer hear insects, we no longer hear many birds”, these having left the area because they were disturbed or even simply eliminated by this species.
According to scientists, this species could have established itself in France and Europe through the trade in ornamental plants and extends over larger areas each yearwhich therefore represents a real danger for French and European biodiversity. If you think you have spotted an electric ant colony, it is therefore important to quickly report it to the authoritiesso that it can be eliminated as quickly as possible, which could help limit/slow down its spread to more regions.
Sources : Futura-Sciences/Sud-Ouest/Var.gouv/France 3 PACA
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