Authorities in the Var region (a coastal département in southern France near Saint-Tropez) have issued a public warning about the little fire ant, a tiny tropical invasive species whose sting has been described as resembling an electric shock. Since 2022, three colonies have been discovered in the area, with the most recent found in March near the resort town of Cavalaire-sur-Mer; officials say the ant poses a threat not only to humans but also to local wildlife, potentially causing blindness in pets and disrupting native insect populations. A eradication programme is now under way, though experts note the species could inadvertently spread further — even beyond France's borders — by hitchhiking in plant pots or nursery goods, though its survival in cooler northern climates remains unlikely outside of heated greenhouses.