Beach Ants - Solenopsis invicta

Troughs

I found something similar associated with some kind of Solenopsis in Mississippi and Lousiana, both times along water (the Mississippi River and a large creek). Rather than troughs, they were narrow, linear mounds that looked something like small mole burrows at first glance, but on closer inspection the ants could be seen moving back and forth in them. I didn't see any of their usual big mounds in either case. I've never heard anyone describe these linear features associated with fire ants--always just hear about the mounds.

… Charley Eiseman, 4 February, 2009 - 5:29am

Thanks, Charlie

I'm pleased to hear you encountered something similar. My husband was adamant that a bird must have created the linear feature. I've been in Florida a month and am relieved to finally be able to ID a fire ant!

… Cathy Wilson, 4 February, 2009 - 7:07am

Solenopsis invicta based on t

Solenopsis invicta based on the presence of the median clypeal tooth.

… Gordon C. Snelling, 4 February, 2009 - 5:18am

Thanks, Gordon

I really had NO idea these were fire ants. Yikes! Now I know. Today we're going back to see how these feature look. I'm not hopeful as they were directly in the path from the beach to the parking lot.

I'm going to have to 'google' median clypeal tooth. I'm clueless regarding ant anatomy.

… Cathy Wilson, 4 February, 2009 - 7:10am

Clypeus

...is the lower part of the "face," on which I can see three "teeth" in your image, so the median clypeal tooth would be the middle one of those, I believe.

BugGuide has a glossary, which you can access by clicking on the Guide tab, then 'Taxonomy', then 'Glossary,' and then using the Info tab when you get to the word you're looking for.

… Charley Eiseman, 4 February, 2009 - 7:15am

Found it!

Thanks, again.

… Cathy Wilson, 4 February, 2009 - 7:45am