Subfamily PONERINAE
Tribe PONERINI
Pachycondyla chinensis (Emery)
Asian needle ant

Introduction
Of the 200 or so Pachycondyla species known worldwide (Bolton, 1995), only four, which are all introduced, have been reported from the U.S. Pachycondyla chinensis, the Asian needle ant, was first detected in the United States in Dekalb County, Georgia in approximately 1932 (Smith, 1934). This species is an average sized, dark brownish-black ant with a conspicuous stinger. It is considered an invasive species that establishs large populations that may displace native species. Reactions in humans from the sting of this exotic species range from mild to severe, sometimes with long lasting symptoms (Nelder et al, 2006). Consequently, P. chinensis poses an emerging health threat throughout its range, as well as areas to where it may be spreading. However, it is not overly aggressive. Stings typically result from handling workers or by winged queens landing on individuals and becoming trapped between clothing layers and skin.

Identification
Pachycondyla chinensis is a somewhat small species with workers usually less than 5 mm in total length and queens up to 6.5 mm in total length. The color of both workers and queens is dark brown, with the legs, mandibles, and outer antennal segments being lighter orangish-brown. Workers of this species can be distinguished by their smooth and shiny mesopleaural region; the propodeum being strongly depressed below the mesonotum; and by the large eyes with many facets. The only similar sized species in the U.S., P. stigma, differs in that the mesopleura is finely punctulate; the propodeum is not strongly depressed; and the eyes are much smaller, only having a few facets.

Biology and Economic Importance
Pachycondyla chinensis, commonly called the Asian needle ant (in the past this species has also been called the Chinese needle ant), typically nests in soil in somewhat damp areas, especially below stones, in rotting logs and stumps, or other debris. In urban settings it may also be found under mulch, railroad ties, bricks and pavers. Colony size ranges from less than 100 individuals to several thousand, and multiple queens may be present. Unlike many introduced, invasive ant species, it can nest in natural wooded habitats. This species appears to prefer termites as a food source.

Distribution
This introduced species is thought to have been introduced from Japan. In the United States it is known to occur in Alabama (MEM record), Connecticut, Florida (old record), Georgia, South Carolina, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (Guenard, 2009; Nelder et al, 2006).

Literature Cited
Bolton, B. 1995. A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Guenard, B. 2009. Pachycondyla chinensis, the Asian Needle Ant. Available online at: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/Pachycondyla%20chinensis%20page.html. Accessed 26 March, 2009.

Nelder, M. P., E. S. Paysen, P. A. Zungoli, and E. P. Benson. 2006. Emergence of the introduced ant Pachycondyla chinensis (Formicidae: Ponerinae) as a public health threat in the southeastern United States.

Smith, M. R. 1934. Ponerine ants of the genus Euponera in the United States. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 27: 558-56.

Videos

Links
AntWeb Images

Discover Life Images

Pachycondyla chinensis, the Asian Needle Ant - by Benoit Guenard

Asian Needle Ant, Pachycondyla chinensis Emery - Clemson University, Dept. of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences