Electric Ant

Electric ant - The "electric ant" has been reported for the first time in France in the Var region. Measuring just 1.5 millimetres, this orange-coloured species, detected by a French researcher, is however a threat to biodiversity. Originally from South America this species had only been observed once in Europe, in the region of Malaga in Spain.

It was in Toulon that it was spotted in a closed seaside residence. It is one of the three most invasive ants in the world and the Var prefecture has since asked the public to report any presence of the insect in order to fight against their proliferation. Its sting causes "a sensation of a nettle sting and can destroy insects and cause the blindness of other animals.