Fatal Ant

[tomorrownight]

Are there any ant species that have a fatal or near fatal sting to humans?

[Wood~Ant]

The first ants that spring to mind for anyone who has had a near fatal attack from them are Australian Bull Dog Ants (sometimes called Bull Ants or "Jack Jumpers") which belong to the Myrmecia genus.

www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ants/Myrmeciinae.htm

faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=251

While not exactly fatal in all cases, the above can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock which can make their heart stop and make them have breathing problems, which without very fast medical treatment can lead to death

The other problem ants are the Fire ants (Solenopsis genus), but these are rarely fatal, although they do give a nasty sting.

www.fireant.net/

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1108838

[tomorrownight]

are there any Indian species that are dangerous? I remember going to India and seeing some very large black ants (I guess a kind of formica, can't really remember), but I went to investigate them and the locals were really scared and warned me away!

[Wood~Ant]

It may have been a Pheidologeton species? Quah might be able to give you a better idea, as although he lives in Malaysia, he might know what Indian species are considered dangerous

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheidologeton

[Quah]

The ant with the most painful sting that I know of here is Diacamma. I suppose if you develop any allergic reaction to them you might go into anaphylactic shock from subsequent bites.

I haven't heard of fatal ant attacks in these parts. So I suspect the fear might be due more to superstition than any real danger pose by these ants.

[Zarbi]

I suppose any ant sting could be fatal if you were allergic to them, and had enough ants stinging you
You can rely on Quah's information about your Indian ants, as he is one of resident ant experts and certainly knows his stuff

[Black Ant]

Yeah, check out wood ants new myrmecology 2 page, as he has done some great info on ant bites and stings