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Photo#783509
Common fire ant? - Solenopsis xyloni

Common fire ant? - Solenopsis xyloni
Midland, Midland County, Texas, USA
June 9, 2013
Females have distinctly banded abdomen. I've never seen fire ants around here. I hope this is a similar looking native.

Images of this individual: tag all
Common fire ant? - Solenopsis xyloni Common fire ant? - Solenopsis xyloni

Moved
Moved from Ants.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

 
Solenopsis
I think you're right, it doesn't look like S. invicta. It's probably a Solenopsis xyloni colony, being that far was I'd be surprised if it's S. geminata. Is it from a watered lawn, or a drier microhabitat? Do the any of the workers have disproportionately large heads? These species do hybridize in a unique way, and it could be a hybrid colony.

I did my PhD thesis on fire ants in Texas, and if you'd like a definite ID I'd be happy to take a look if you sent a couple.

 
They're under the edge of the
They're under the edge of the house foundation and get very little water. No lawn watering. I'll try for some better pictures.