Unsuspecting insects with potentially lethal stings have invaded the U.S., spreading across the country, and are causing havoc on local ecosystems.
The insects, known as Asian needle ants, are venomous and deliver a painful sting that can cause severe allergic reactions, and their spread across the country worries experts.
In heavily invaded forests in Georgia, the ants have spread so widely that "Asian needle ants are in or under nearly every stump, log, or branch on the forest floor," Emilee Poole, an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service, told USA TODAY.
But they aren't just an issue for people going for a hike, and can easily adapt to living in urban, suburban, and forested areas.
Here's what you need to know about the invasive ant and how to protect yourself and your family.
