Species Solenopsis xyloni - Southern Fire Ant

Classification · Pronunciation · Identification · Range · Habitat

Harvester ant. Pogonomyrmex anzensis?? - Solenopsis xyloni

Southern Fire Ant - Solenopsis xyloni - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)

Superfamily Vespoidea (Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets)

Family Formicidae (Ants)

Subfamily Myrmicinae

Genus Solenopsis (Fire Ants)

Species xyloni (Southern Fire Ant)

Pronunciation

SOL-en-OP-sis zie-LOE-nee

Identification

Generally similar to S. invicta in color and morphology. Differentiation is based on the lack of median tooth on the clypeus. Due to variation within colonies, several major workers should be examined in order to ensure that this feature is absent.

Range

Historically the most common native fire ant in the southern US, this species has been significantly reduced by the expansion ofS. invicta.

Habitat

Mounds are not as large as S. invicta, often not seen at all.

Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 25 October, 2007 - 3:30pm
Additional contributions by John Carlson
Last updated 13 July, 2009 - 11:22pm

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