Fire Ants

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Remarks

Tiny ants on extrafloral nectarium of a barrel cactus - Solenopsis xyloni

Red Imported Fire Ant - Solenopsis invicta

Formicidae - Solenopsis invicta - female

Tetramorium bicarinatum queens? - Solenopsis invicta - female

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

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Subgenus (Solenopsis), not currently recognized as a valid taxon

Explanation of Names

Fire ants are named for their painful stings.

Size

Workers 2.5-4.5mm -- Mature colonies contain all or most of this size range.

Identification

Like all Solenopsis, these have ten-segmented antennae with a two-segmented club. Fire ants are recognized by their relatively large size (>2.5mm), polymorphic worker caste, and flagellar segments longer than broad. They are also noteworthy for their painful stings.

Other species groups in this genus are tiny (<2 mm), with monomorphic workers, and with short flagellomeres that appear disc-like.

Range

Warm-temperate and subtropical USA (the "Sunbelt" states), and southward.

Habitat

Disturbed, open areas, such as pastures, edges of crop fields, lawns, gardens, floodplains, frequently burned grasslands and pinelands. Nest are in soil, and in cooler or wetter weather, often with a conspicuous tumulus or mound.

Remarks

Sometimes called subgenus (Solenopsis), but the monophyly of this group is uncertain, as is that of all Solenopsis subgenera. Hence, none of the latter are currently recognized as valid, but anyone familiar with these ants can easily recognize fire ants from others in the genus.

Contributed by Charley Eiseman on 16 March, 2010 - 7:32pm
Additional contributions by Graham M, James C. Trager, v belov, Kyhl Austin
Last updated 1 August, 2018 - 7:23pm

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