‘Crazy’ ant species might invade South Carolina

Clemson scientists are worried that an invasive ant species, which first surfaced in the U-S 15 years ago, now appears to be on the verge of entering South Carolina.  The tawny crazy ant was originally found in Texas in 2002, but it has since entered other Southern states.  Tawny crazy ants don’t bite or sting humans, like fire ants.  They kill all other ants in their path, including good ants.  South Carolina is home to an estimated 200 species of ants, and most of them are beneficial to the environment.  But when an invasive species takes over, it can displace all the other ant species.  Several Clemson scientists, including Eric Benson, are completing plans for a project to survey areas on South Carolina’s southern coast to see if the ants are there and, if so, to document their spread and habits.