Electric ants are causing concern in Var. Three colonies have been detected since 2022, including a new one last March. Their painful sting and ecological impact are pushing authorities to launch a unique treatment.
Be careful where you step if you are heading to the south of France this summer.
In Var (the only department in France where they have been seen), three colonies of electric fire ants, also known as “electric ants” (scientific name: Wasmannia auropunctata), have been identified since 2022. These microscopic insects with bodies ranging from orange to brown, native to South America and classified as one of the most worrying invasive species in Europe, are a concern for both humans and biodiversity.
The latest colony was found in March near Cavalaire-sur-Mer, close to Saint-Tropez. Despite their tiny size, barely 1.5 millimeters, their stings are far from harmless. “Their sting is very painful,” entomologist Wim Veraghtert told Het Nieuwsblad. “A sting near the eye can even damage the cornea and cause blindness.” A nickname that is well-deserved, as confirmed by his colleague Peter Berx in a Belgian-Dutch newspaper: “Their sting causes a burning sensation similar to an electric shock.” Veraghtert adds: “The name fire ant also refers to the intensity of the pain.”
National Geographic details their modus operandi: they grip their victim with powerful mandibles, then bend their abdomen to sting with their dart, injecting venom under the skin. It is common for this species to sting in bursts or groups, increasing the pain, which can last for several hours.
But the main danger is ecological. “Invasive ants pose a danger. If they settle, they simply drive away other animals,” emphasizes Peter Berx. These insects can eliminate local species, from other insects to small reptiles. Their arrival is linked to human activity: “They arrive here through shipped potted plants,” he explains. And just one colony is enough to establish itself permanently: “A single ant cannot survive, but a small colony with a queen is sufficient,” adds Wim Veraghtert.
In response to the situation, French authorities have decided to act. Specific treatments from Australia, as conventional insecticides are ineffective, will be used over a four-hectare area for six months. Drones will also be deployed to reach hard-to-access areas.
