Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData

Species Solenopsis xyloni - Southern Fire Ant

S. xyloni, major worker - Solenopsis xyloni Ants invading a home in Avra Valley - Solenopsis xyloni Common fire ant? - Solenopsis xyloni 2-'humped' (brown-)red ants with broad-head and black & brown-striped abdomen  - Solenopsis xyloni - female Solenopsis? - Solenopsis xyloni Solenopsis xyloni? - Solenopsis xyloni Ant - Solenopsis xyloni Ant - Solenopsis xyloni
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
No Taxon (Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps)
Superfamily Formicoidea (Ants)
Family Formicidae (Ants)
Subfamily Myrmicinae
Tribe Solenopsidini
Genus Solenopsis (Fire Ants and Thief Ants)
No Taxon (Fire Ants)
Species xyloni (Southern Fire Ant)
Pronunciation
SOL-en-OP-sis zie-LOE-nee
Explanation of Names
Solenopsis xyloni McCook 1879
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 across southern US(1), this species has been significantly reduced by the expansion of S. invicta.
Habitat
Mounds are not as large as S. invicta, often not seen at all.
Internet References