CEJ #5

CEJ #5

Finn Clark

2/25/13

War of Ants Intesifies In U.S.

Douglas Quenqua

New York Times

2/25/13

Science

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/science/ant-species-losing-ground-to-venomous-kind.html?ref=science

Aggressive ants in America are losing ground to a more potentially dangerous ant. A long time ago the Argentine ant has claimed dominance in the North Carolina Office Park. But for over four years the land of the Argentine ant is being taken over by the Asian Needle ant. The Argentine ant has posed a threat to lizards and other small animals but never to humans, the problem with the Asian Needle ant is that it has a venom that can make a human burn and itch for weeks. The reason that Argentine ants took over the North Carolina park so quickly is that it has an ability to create super colonies that have at least 1000 ants in each. Imagine this spread out between 15 colonies in one park. Researchers think that the reason Asian Needle ants have an advantage on the Argentine ants is because Asian Needle ants are active during cool weather, and during that weather the Argentine ants are resting. It is said that the Asian Needle ants have came to America in the 1930's and have spread to areas like New York, Alabama, Oregon, and Virginia. 

I'm not sure what we should do about this upcoming problem with Asian Needle ants is, but it is a problem. I have not been stung or bitten but I do not want to find out how much it hurts, and I'm speaking for others who feel the same way. Argentine ants have not posed a threat but the way they make colonies, I feel bad for the picnickers that have experienced this. At least it's better than being stung when you are picnicking. I also wonder if the Argentine ants can fight back against the Asian Needle ants and possibly  take back their land and still be alive. This is also a thought, maybe after a long course of time the Argentine ants could naturally adapt and start being active during cool weather and maybe outsource the Asian Needle ants.