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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Ants (Formicoidea) » Ants (Formicidae) » Myrmicinae » Solenopsidini » Fire Ants and Thief Ants (Solenopsis) » Fire Ants (Solenopsis Fire Ants)
Photo#835572
Reality Check: Is this pinhead the feared red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta? Maybe. - Solenopsis - male
Copyright © 2013 Ron Hemberger

Reality Check: Is this pinhead the feared red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta? Maybe. - Solenopsis - Male
Caspers Wilderness Park, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California, USA
August 31, 2013
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Contributed by Ron Hemberger on 2 September, 2013 - 7:31pm
Last updated 3 September, 2013 - 7:14pm

From that location, almost ce
From that location, almost certainly not S*invicta, so far found only in more southern counties and only in irrgiated areas. The most likely is S*xyloni. And yes, male ants tend to have small heads with big eyes, for scoping out the girls (winged females) in flight.
… James C. Trager, 2 October, 2013 - 3:56pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks, James.
.
… Ron Hemberger, 2 October, 2013 - 9:19pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Ants.
… Ron Hemberger, 3 September, 2013 - 7:13pm login or register to post comments

*
Solenopsis saevissima group. Solenopsis invicta does belong to the saevissima group, but at present it's not possible to identify the males of this group to species. There is a small handful of native species which belong to this group.
… Brendon E. Boudinot, 3 September, 2013 - 6:48pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank you for the ID and explanation, Brendon.
Pinhead will now join the group.
… Ron Hemberger, 3 September, 2013 - 7:11pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 2 September, 2013 - 7:48pm login or register to post comments

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