Olivier Blight, a lecturer and researcher at IMBE, has sounded the alarm over the spread of the electric ant in the Var
La Wasmannia auropunctata, nicknamed the «electric ant» because of the intensity of its sting, is one of the world’s most worrying invasive species. In a podcast broadcast on 23 June 2026 on Radio France, on the programme The Earth Squared, Olivier Blight reports that a third outbreak was detected in spring 2026 in Cavalaire-sur-Mer, in the Var.
Native to South America, this tiny ant delivers a very painful sting and poses a serious threat to biodiversity by eliminating local insects and species. Difficult to eradicate as it hides everywhere, it is the subject of an active campaign to control it: insecticides, drones and mapping of affected areas.
Scientists believe that eradication remains possible on areas of less than 10 hectares, but becomes very complex beyond that. Its introduction is often linked to the horticultural trade.
Another invasive species, the Asian fire ant, has also been detected in the region and poses a risk to human health.
In the face of these growing threats, vigilance remains essential. To better understand the scale of the phenomenon and the issues it raises, Four podcasts broadcast in 2024 are still available to listen to.
