Genus Solenopsis - Fire Ants

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Remarks · Internet References

Red Imported Fire Ants - Solenopsis invicta

Winged ant, semi-transparent, Bay Area, CA - Solenopsis

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)

Numbers

23 species listed at Nomina Insecta Nearctica.

Identification

Fire ants can be identified using a microscope to verify these characteristics: Each antenna has ten segments with a two-segmented club. The pedicel (the waist between the two segments of the body) is two-segmented.

Remarks

Introduced from South America.

Fire ants have a very painful sting.

For Fire Ant bite remedies see this page.

Internet References

Myrmecos.net

Contributed by tom murray on 1 September, 2005 - 10:56pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Lynette, Chris Wirth, kschnei
Last updated 24 September, 2008 - 4:53pm

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