Plague of fire ants the latest Hong Kong alien invasion - and boy, do they sting
Venomous ants from South America join the indestructible apple snail and river fish on a long list of foreign species to have made Hong Kong home, writes Sarah Lazarus
Tony Lee was looking at a tree when the attack occurred.
"I felt a red hot burning sensation on my lower leg," says the 64-year-old.
A keen amateur botanist, Lee had been studying plants growing near his home in Tseung Kwan O when he accidentally trod on a nest of red fire ants. The ants swarmed over his shoes, scaled his socks, ran up his trouser legs - and stung.
Zombie ants, viruses and a parasite - how US fights insect invaders
Red fire ants are notorious for their aggression. They bite victims with their jaws to get a good grip then inject venom from their stingers. Unlike honeybees, which lose their stingers, the ants can sting repeatedly. In most cases, the venom causes a pink spot that itches and burns, forming a white blister a few days later. Some people develop chest pains and nausea. In rare cases, the venom triggers anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. Fortunately for Lee, he did not suffer a bad reaction.
