Native ants are deadly threat

Study author Simon Brown. Picture: Steve Ferrier

Bulldog ants commonly found on the Darling Scarp are in a group of four potential killer native ant species identified in a new study.

The study of anaphylactic reactions to ant bites, published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, found four main groups of ants can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in humans.

All the deadly ants, which include green-head ants, bulldog ants, jumper ants and jack jumper ants, are found in WA.

Jack jumper ants have caused fatal reactions in Tasmania and were identified as the cause of at least one anaphylaxis near Esperance.

Up to 3 per cent of people would have a severe reaction to the bites and these could be fatal within 15 minutes of a sting, the study said.

Study author Simon Brown, from the University of WA, said treatments to strengthen immunity to potentially fatal ant bites were not funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

These involved exposing the person to gradually increased doses of venom. But in most cases, severe allergic reactions happened on the first bite, so pre-treatment was not feasible.

Professor Brown said venom extracts had yet to be developed for most Australian ant species.

In February, 48-year-old council worker John Banks died after being bitten by ants in Bunbury.

His widow has called for an inquest into the death, thought to be the first caused by ants in WA.

Study author Simon Brown. Picture: Steve Ferrier