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: ''This page is about stinging ants in the genus ''[[Solenopsis]]''. For the aggressive red weaver ants sometimes called "fire ants" in souththeast Asia, please see ''[[Oecophylla smaragdina]]''. For the little fire ant, ''Wasmannia auropunctata'', see [[Electric ant]]. ''
{{Redirect|Red Ant|the Australian video and software distributor|Red Ant Enterprises}}
{{Taxobox
| image = Fire_ants_01.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| subphylum= [[Uniramia]]
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Hymenoptera]]
| subordo = [[Apocrita]]
| familia = [[Ant|Formicidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Myrmicinae]]
| tribus = [[Solenopsidini]]
| genus = '''''Solenopsis'''''
| genus_authority = [[John Obadiah Westwood|Westwood]], 1840
| diversity_link = > 280 species + subspecies <!-- in ? subgenera -->
| range_map =
| range_map_width = 250px
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''[[Solenopsis conjurata|S. conjurata]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis daguerrei|S. daguerrei]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis fugax|S. fugax]]''<br>
''[[Red imported fire ant|S. invicta]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis molesta|S. molesta]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis richteri|S. richteri]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis solenopsidis|S. solenopsidis]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis wagneri|S. wagneri]]''<br>
''[[Solenopsis xyloni|S. xyloni]]''<br>
&nbsp;many more, see text
}}

'''Fire ants''' are a variety of stinging [[ant]]s with over 280 species worldwide. They have several common names, including '''ginger ants''' and '''tropical fire ants.'''

== Appearance ==
[[Image:Redant.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Fire ant mound]]
The bodies of fire ants, like all [[insect]]s' bodies, are divided into three sections: the [[head]], the [[thorax]], and the [[abdomen]], with three pairs of [[leg]]s and a pair of [[antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Fire ants can be distinguished from other ants by their copper brown head and body with a darker abdomen. The worker ants are blackish to reddish, and their size varies from 2mm to 6 mm (0.12 in to 0.24 in). These different sizes of the ants can all exist in the same nest.

''Solenopsis'' spp. ants can be identified with three body features&nbsp;— a [[Petiole (insect)|pedicel]] with two nodes, an unarmed [[propodeum]], and antennae with 10 segments and a two-segmented club.

== Behavior ==
[[File:Solenopsis.jpg|thumb|left|A fire ant worker, queen, and male]]
A typical fire [[ant colony]] produces large mounds in open areas, and feeds mostly on young plants, seeds, and sometimes [[cricket (insect)|crickets]]. Fire ants often attack small animals and can kill them. Unlike many other [[ant]]s, which bite and then spray [[acid]] on the wound, fire ants bite only to get a grip and then sting (from the abdomen) and inject a toxic [[alkaloid]] [[venom]] called [[solenopsin]], a compound from the class of [[piperidines]]. For humans, this is a painful sting, a sensation similar to what one feels when burned by [[fire]]—hence the name fire ant—and the after effects of the sting can be deadly to sensitive individuals. The venom is both insecticidal and antibiotic. Researchers have proposed that ant nurse workers will spray their brood to protect them from microorganisms.

Fire ants nest in the [[soil]], often near moist areas, such as [[river bank]]s, [[pond]] edges, watered [[lawn]]s and [[highway]] edges. Usually, the nest will not be visible, as it will be built under objects such as [[timber]], logs, [[Rock (geology)|rocks]], pavers, [[brick]]s, etc. If there is no cover for nesting, [[dome]]-shaped mounds will be constructed, but these are usually only found in open spaces, such as [[field (agriculture)|fields]], [[park]]s and lawns. These mounds can reach heights of 40 cm (15.7 in), and can also be as deep as five feet.[http://www.localpestcontrolservices.com/pest_control_blog/category/pests/fire-ants/]
Colonies are founded by small groups of queens or single queens. Even if only one queen survives, within a month or so, the colony can expand to thousands of individuals. Some colonies may be polygynous (having multiple queens per nest).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&issn=0015-4040&volume=086&issue=03&page=0381 |title=Colonies in Florida dissected and observed with greater than five queens |publisher=Bioone.org |date=1970-01-01 |accessdate=2010-06-28}}</ref>

== Roles ==
[[Image:Fire ant queens 3589.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Solenopsis'' queens and workers]]
[[Image:GrasshopperFireAnt.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Fire ants with a dead [[Romalea_guttata|''Romalea guttata'' grasshopper]]]]
=== Queen ===
A queen is generally the largest individual in the colony. Her primary function is reproduction; she may live for six to seven years and produce up to 1,500 eggs per day.

=== Males / drones ===
Males mate with the queen for the sole purpose of producing offspring. Their lifespan is approximately four days.

=== Workers ===
The workers are sterile females which build and repair the nest, care for the young, defend the nest, and feed both young and adult ants. The worker ants also go find supplies to build up the colony.

== Introduced species ==
{{details|Red imported fire ant|invasive subspecies}}

Although most fire ant species do not bother people and are not invasive due to biological factors, ''Solenopsis invicta'', known in the United States as the [[red imported fire ant]] (or RIFA) is an invasive pest in many areas of the world, notably the [[United States]], [[Australia]], the [[Philippines]], [[China]] and [[Taiwan]]. The RIFA was accidentally introduced into the United States aboard a South American cargo ship that docked at the port of [[Mobile, Alabama]], in the 1930s, but now infests the majority of the [[Southern United States|Southern]] and [[Southwestern United States]].<ref>"[http://ipmworld.umn.edu/chapters/lockley.htm Imported Fire Ants]". University of Minnesota.</ref>

In the US, the [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] estimates more than US$5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in RIFA-infested areas. Furthermore, the ants cause approximately US$750 million in damage annually to agricultural assets, including [[veterinarian]] bills and [[livestock]] loss, as well as [[crop (agriculture)|crop]] loss.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McDonald | first=Maggie | title=Reds Under Your Feet (interview with Robert Vander Meer) | journal=[[New Scientist]] | volume=189 | issue=2538 | year=2006 | month=February | page=50 | url=http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg18925381.700-interview-extinguishing-red-fire-ants.html }}</ref> Over 40 million people live in RIFA-infested areas in the southeastern United States.<ref>"[http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_11_030602/sol10016_fm.html Anaphylaxis due to Red Imported Fire Ant sting]". The Medical Journal of Australia 2002.</ref> Between 30 and 60% of the people living in fire ant-infested areas are stung each year.<ref>"[http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=195877&pf=1 Public health significance of Urban Pests]". World Health Organization Technical Report.Pharaoh ants and fire ants.p.175-208. June 25, 2008.</ref> Since September 2004, Taiwan has been seriously affected by the red fire ant. The US, Taiwan and Australia all have ongoing national efforts to control or eradicate the species, but, other than Australia, none have been especially effective. In Australia, an intensive program costing A$175 million has, at February 2007, eradicated 99% of fire ants from the sole infestation occurring in south east Queensland.

In just 70 years, according to a new study, [[eastern fence lizard|lizards]] in parts of the United States have developed longer legs and new behaviors to escape the ants, which can kill the lizard in under a minute.<ref>"[http://www.livescience.com/animals/090126-lizards-ants.html Lizards' Dance Avoids Deadly Ants]". LiveScience. January 26, 2009.</ref>

== Symptoms and first aid ==
[[Image:FireAntBite.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A human leg three days after coming in brief contact with a fire ant colony]]
The venom of fire ants is composed of [[alkaloids]] such as [[piperidine]] (see ''[[Solenopsis saevissima]]''), and the sting swells into a bump, which can cause much [[pain]] and irritation at times, especially when stung repeatedly by several ants. The bump often forms into a white [[pustule]], which is at risk of becoming [[infection|infected]] if scratched; however, if left alone, it will usually flatten within a few days. The pustules are obtrusive and uncomfortable while active and, if the sting sites become infected, can turn into [[scar]]s. Additionally, some people are allergic to the venom, and as with many allergies, may experience [[anaphylaxis]], which requires emergency treatment.<ref>{{cite journal |author=deShazo RD, Butcher BT, Banks WA |title=Reactions to the stings of the imported fire ant |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=323 |issue=7 |pages=462–6 |year=1990 |pmid=2197555 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199008163230707}}</ref> An [[antihistamine]] or topical [[corticosteroid]]s may help reduce the itching.

First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines.
* External treatments: a topical steroid cream ([[hydrocortisone]]), or one containing [[aloe vera]]<ref name="urlfireant.tamu.edu">{{cite web
|url=http://fireant.tamu.edu/materials/factsheets_pubs/pdf/FAPFS023_2002rev_Medical.pdf
|title=Medical Problems And Treatment Considerations For The Red Imported Fire Ant
|author=Bastiaan M. Drees
|authorlink=
|coauthors=
|date=2002-12
|format=
|work=
|publisher=Texas A&M University
|page=4
|language=
|archiveurl=
|archivedate=
|quote=
|accessdate=2009-09-09
}}</ref>
* Oral medicines: antihistamines

Victims who experience severe or life-threatening allergic reactions to fire ant insect stings should visit a doctor or hospital immediately upon contact, as these reactions can result in death. These more severe reactions include severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling, or slurred speech.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/ |title=Insects and Scorpions |accessdate=2008-11-04 |date=2008-10-22 |publisher=The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health}}</ref>

== Other names ==
In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], fire ants are known as ''hormiga colorada/roja'' (red ant) or ''hormiga brava'' (fierce ant). In the [[Dominican Republic]], they are known as ''hormiga Caribe''. In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], they are called ''formiga de fogo'' (fire ant) and ''formiga lava-pé'' (wash foot ant).

== Natural predators ==
Phorid flies, or [[Phoridae]], are a family of small, hump-backed flies resembling [[Drosophilidae|fruit flies]]; two species in this family (''[[Pseudacteon tricuspis]]'' and ''[[Pseudacteon curvatus]]'') are [[parasitoid]]s of the [[red imported fire ant]] in its native range in [[South America]]. Some 110 species of the genus ''[[Pseudacteon]]'', or ant-decapitating flies, have been described. Members of ''Pseudacteon'' reproduce by laying eggs in the [[thorax]] of the ant. The first [[instar]] larvae migrates to the head, then develops by feeding on the [[hemolymph]], muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. After about two weeks, they cause the ant's head to fall off by releasing an [[enzyme]] that dissolves the membrane attaching the ant's head to its body. The fly pupates in the detached head capsule, requiring a further two weeks before emerging.<ref name=Venom>Rachel Ehrenberg. [http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/47468/title/Venom_attracts_decapitating_flies "Ant Venom Attracts Decapitating Flies"], ''[[Science News]]'', September 20, 2009</ref>

''Pseudacteon'' flies have been widely introduced throughout the southern United States, starting with [[Travis County, Texas|Travis]], [[Brazos County, Texas|Brazos]], and [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas]] counties in [[Texas]], as well as [[Mobile, Alabama]], where the ants first entered North America.

== Species ==
This species list is complete.
{{div col|cols=2}}
* ''[[Solenopsis abdita]]'' <small>Thompson, 1989</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis africana]]'' <small>Santschi, 1914</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis albidula]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis alecto]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis altinodis]]'' <small>Forel, 1912</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis amblychila]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1915</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis andina]]'' <small>Santschi, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis angulata]]'' <small>Emery, 1894</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis atlantis]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis aurea]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis avia]]'' <small>(Bernard, 1978)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis azteca]]'' <small>Forel, 1893</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis balachowskyi]]'' <small>Bernard, 1959</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis banyulensis]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis basalis]]'' <small>Forel, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis belisarius]]'' <small>Forel, 1907</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis blanda]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis brasiliana]]'' <small>Santschi, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis brazoensis]]'' <small>(Buckley, 1867)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis brevicornis]]'' <small>Emery, 1888</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis brevipes]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis bruchiella]]'' <small>Emery, 1922</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis bruesi]]'' <small>Creighton, 1930</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis bucki]]'' <small>Kempf, 1973</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis canariensis]]'' <small>Forel, 1893</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis capensis]]'' <small>Mayr, 1866</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis carolinensis]]'' <small>Forel, 1901</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis castor]]'' <small>Forel, 1893</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis celata]]'' <small>(Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis clarki]]'' <small>Crawley, 1922</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis clytemnestra]]'' <small>Emery, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis conjurata]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis cooperi]]'' <small>Donisthorpe, 1947</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis corticalis]]'' <small>Forel, 1881</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis crivellarii]]'' <small>Menozzi, 1936</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis daguerrei]]'' <small>(Santschi, 1930)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis dalli]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1969)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis decipiens]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis delta]]'' <small>(Bernard, 1978)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis deserticola]]'' <small>Ruzsky, 1905</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis duboscqui]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis dysderces]]'' <small>Snelling, 1975</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis egregia]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1953)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis electra]]'' <small>Forel, 1914</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis emeryi]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis eximia]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1953)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis fairchildi]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1926</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis foersteri]]'' <small>Theobald, 1937</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis franki]]'' <small>Forel, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis froggatti]]'' <small>Forel, 1913</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis fugax]]'' <small>(Latreille, 1798)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis fusciventris]]'' <small>Clark, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis gallardoi]]'' <small>Santschi, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis gallica]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis gayi]]'' <small>(Spinola, 1851)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis geminata]]'' <small>(Fabricius, 1804)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis georgica]]'' <small>Menozzi, 1942</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis germaini]]'' <small>Emery, 1895</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis globularia]]'' <small>(Smith, 1858)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis gnomula]]'' <small>Emery, 1915</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis goeldii]]'' <small>Forel, 1912</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis granivora]]'' <small>Kusnezov, 1957</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis hammari]]'' <small>Mayr, 1903</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis hayemi]]'' <small>Forel, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis helena]]'' <small>Emery, 1895</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis hostilis]]'' <small>(Borgmeier, 1959)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis iheringi]]'' <small>Forel, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis ilinei]]'' <small>Santschi, 1936</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis indagatrix]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1928</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis insculpta]]'' <small>Clark, 1938</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis insinuans]]'' <small>Santschi, 1933</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis insularis]]'' <small>(Bernard, 1978)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis interrupta]]'' <small>Santschi, 1916</small>
* ''[[Red imported fire ant|Solenopsis invicta]]'' <small>Buren, 1972</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis jacoti]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis jalalabadica]]'' <small>Pisarski, 1970</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis japonica]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1928</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis joergenseni]]'' <small>Santschi, 1919</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis juliae]]'' <small>(Arakelian, 1991)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis kabylica]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis knuti]]'' <small>Pisarski, 1967</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis krockowi]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis laeviceps]]'' <small>Mayr, 1870</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis laevithorax]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis latastei]]'' <small>Emery, 1895</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis latro]]'' <small>Forel, 1894</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis leptanilloides]]'' <small>Santschi, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis longiceps]]'' <small>Forel, 1907</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis loretana]]'' <small>Santschi, 1936</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis lotophaga]]'' <small>Santschi, 1911</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis lou]]'' <small>Forel, 1902</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis lusitanica]]'' <small>Emery, 1915</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis macdonaghi]]'' <small>Santschi, 1916</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis macrops]]'' <small>Santschi, 1917</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis madara]]'' <small>Roger, 1863</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis major]]'' <small>Theobald, 1937</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis maligna]]'' <small>Santschi, 1910</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis mameti]]'' <small>Donisthorpe, 1946</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis marxi]]'' <small>Forel, 1915</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis maxillosa]]'' <small>Emery, 1900</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis maxima]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis megera]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis megergates]]'' <small>Trager, 1991</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis metanotalis]]'' <small>Emery, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis metatarsalis]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1957)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis mikeyroxis]]''
* ''[[Solenopsis minutissima]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis moesta]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis molesta]]'' <small>(Say, 1836)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis monticola]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis mozabensis]]'' <small>(Bernard, 1977)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis nicaeensis]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis nickersoni]]'' <small>Thompson, 1982</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis nigella]]'' <small>Emery, 1888</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis nitens]]'' <small>Bingham, 1903</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis nitidum]]'' <small>(Dlussky & Radchenko, 1994)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis normandi]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis novemmaculata]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis occipitalis]]'' <small>Santschi, 1911</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis oculata]]'' <small>Santschi, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis oraniensis]]'' <small>Forel, 1894</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis orbula]]'' <small>Emery, 1875</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis orbuloides]]'' <small>Andre, 1890</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis overbecki]]'' <small>Viehmeyer, 1916</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pachycera]]'' <small>(Forel, 1915)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis papuana]]'' <small>Emery, 1900</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis parabiotica]]'' <small>Weber, 1943</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis parva]]'' <small>Mayr, 1868</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis patagonica]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pawaensis]]'' <small>Mann, 1919</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pergandei]]'' <small>Forel, 1901</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis photophila]]'' <small>Santschi, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis picea]]'' <small>Emery, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis picquarti]]'' <small>Forel, 1899</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis picta]]'' <small>Emery, 1895</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pilosa]]'' <small>(Bernard, 1978)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pilosula]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pollux]]'' <small>Forel, 1893</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis privata]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis provincialis]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis punctaticeps]]'' <small>Mayr, 1865</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis puncticeps]]'' <small>MacKay & Vinson, 1989</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pusillignis]]'' <small>Trager, 1991</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pygmaea]]'' <small>Forel, 1901</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis pythia]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis quinquecuspis]]'' <small>Forel, 1913</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis reichenspergeri]]'' <small>Santschi, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis richardi]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis richteri]]'' <small>Forel, 1909</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis robusta]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis rugiceps]]'' <small>Mayr, 1870</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis rugosa]]'' <small>Bernard, 1950</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis sabeana]]'' <small>(Buckley, 1867)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis saevissima]]'' <small>(Smith, 1855)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis salina]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1908</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis santschii]]'' <small>Forel, 1905</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis schilleri]]'' <small>Santschi, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis schmalzi]]'' <small>Forel, 1901</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis scipio]]'' <small>Santschi, 1911</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis sea]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1953)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis seychellensis]]'' <small>Forel, 1909</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis silvestrii]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis solenopsidis]]'' <small>(Kusnezov, 1953)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis soochowensis]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1921</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis spei]]'' <small>Forel, 1912</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis stricta]]'' <small>Emery, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis substituta]]'' <small>Santschi, 1925</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis subterranea]]'' <small>MacKay & Vinson, 1989</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis subtilis]]'' <small>Emery, 1896</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis succinea]]'' <small>Emery, 1890</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis sulfurea]]'' <small>(Roger, 1862)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis superba]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis targuia]]'' <small>Bernard, 1953</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tennesseensis]]'' <small>Smith, 1951</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tenuis]]'' <small>Mayr, 1878</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis terricola]]'' <small>Menozzi, 1931</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tertialis]]'' <small>Ettershank, 1966</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tetracantha]]'' <small>Emery, 1906</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis texana]]'' <small>Emery, 1895</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tipuna]]'' <small>Forel, 1912</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tonsa]]'' <small>Thompson, 1989</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis tridens]]'' <small>Forel, 1911</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis trihasta]]'' <small>Santschi, 1923</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis truncorum]]'' <small>Forel, 1901</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis ugandensis]]'' <small>Santschi, 1933</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis valida]]'' <small>(Foerster, 1891)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis virulens]]'' <small>(Smith, 1858)</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis vorax]]'' <small>Santschi, 1934</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis wagneri]]'' <small>Santschi, 1916</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis wasmannii]]'' <small>Emery, 1894</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis weiseri]]'' <small>Forel, 1914</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis westwoodi]]'' <small>Forel, 1894</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis weyrauchi]]'' <small>Trager, 1991</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis wolfi]]'' <small>Emery, 1915</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis xyloni]]'' <small>McCook, 1879</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis zambesiae]]'' <small>Arnold, 1926</small>
* ''[[Solenopsis zeteki]]'' <small>Wheeler, 1942</small>
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[Ant stings]]

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
* {{cite book
| author = [[Bert Hölldobler]] and [[Edward O. Wilson]]
| title = The Ants
| publisher = [[Belknap Press]] of Harvard University Press
| location = Cambridge
| year = 1990
| isbn = 3-540-52092-9
}}
* {{cite book
| author = [[Walter R. Tschinkel]]
| title = The Fire Ants
| publisher = [[Belknap Press]] of Harvard University Press
| location = Cambridge
| year = 2006
| isbn = 0-674-02207-6
}}
* {{cite paper
| publisher = [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]]
| title = Areawide suppression of Fire Ants using baits and Biological Control
| date = 2003
| url = http://www.ars.usda.gov/fireant/publications/brochure_2003.pdf
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-10-25 }} Details use of Phorid flies
* ITIS: [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=154237 ''Solenopsis'' species list] (2001)
* [http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/fireants.stm Treatment of Fire Ant Bites]
* [http://fireant.tamu.edu/materials/factsheets_pubs/pdf/FAPFS023_2002rev_Medical.pdf Medical Treatment of Fire Ant Bites]

== External links ==
{{commons|Solenopsis}}
{{wikispecies|Solenopsis}}
* [http://www.extension.org/fire+ants Biology, Control, and Management of Imported Fire Ants at www.extension.org] brought to you by the Imported Fire Ant eXtension Community of Practice
* [http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/fireants The Alabama Fire Ant Management Program]
* [http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/fireant/ The UT Austin Fire Ant Research Program]
* [http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_4538_ENA_HTML.htm Queensland Government&nbsp;– Department of Primary Industries Fire Ants Homepage]
* [http://fourmidable.unil.ch Fire Ant Gene Sequence database]
* [http://www.educatedearth.net/video.php?id=3918 Fireants building a lifeboat to save the queen]&nbsp;– Video
* [http://www.localpestcontrolservices.com/pest_control_blog/category/pests/fire-ants/ Fire Ants provided by Local Pest Control Services]

[[Category:Ants]]
[[Category:Biting insects]]
[[Category:Biological pest control]]

[[ar:نمل ناري]]
[[az:Atəş qarışqası]]
[[de:Feuerameisen]]
[[nl:vuurmieren]]
[[es:Solenopsis (hormiga)]]
[[fr:Solenopsis invicta (fourmi de feu)]]
[[ko:열마디개미속]]
[[he:נמלי אש]]
[[pt:Formiga-lava-pés]]
[[ru:Огненные муравьи]]
[[simple:Fire ant]]
[[tl:Kuwitib]]
[[zh:火蟻]]

Revision as of 22:23, 3 May 2011

This page is about stinging ants in the genus Solenopsis. For the aggressive red weaver ants sometimes called "fire ants" in souththeast Asia, please see Oecophylla smaragdina. For the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, see Electric ant.
"Red Ant" redirects here. For the Australian video and software distributor, see Red Ant Enterprises.

Fire ant
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Uniramia
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hymenoptera
Suborder:
Apocrita
Family:
Formicidae
Subfamily:
Myrmicinae
Tribe:
Solenopsidini
Genus:
Solenopsis

Westwood, 1840
Species

S. conjurata
S. daguerrei
S. fugax
S. invicta
S. molesta
S. richteri
S. solenopsidis
S. wagneri
S. xyloni
 many more, see text

Fire ants are a variety of stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide. They have several common names, including ginger ants and tropical fire ants.

Appearance

Fire ant mound

The bodies of fire ants, like all insects' bodies, are divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen, with three pairs of legs and a pair of antennae. Fire ants can be distinguished from other ants by their copper brown head and body with a darker abdomen. The worker ants are blackish to reddish, and their size varies from 2mm to 6 mm (0.12 in to 0.24 in). These different sizes of the ants can all exist in the same nest.

Solenopsis spp. ants can be identified with three body features — a pedicel with two nodes, an unarmed propodeum, and antennae with 10 segments and a two-segmented club.

Behavior

A fire ant worker, queen, and male

A typical fire ant colony produces large mounds in open areas, and feeds mostly on young plants, seeds, and sometimes crickets. Fire ants often attack small animals and can kill them. Unlike many other ants, which bite and then spray acid on the wound, fire ants bite only to get a grip and then sting (from the abdomen) and inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin, a compound from the class of piperidines. For humans, this is a painful sting, a sensation similar to what one feels when burned by fire—hence the name fire ant—and the after effects of the sting can be deadly to sensitive individuals. The venom is both insecticidal and antibiotic. Researchers have proposed that ant nurse workers will spray their brood to protect them from microorganisms.

Fire ants nest in the soil, often near moist areas, such as river banks, pond edges, watered lawns and highway edges. Usually, the nest will not be visible, as it will be built under objects such as timber, logs, rocks, pavers, bricks, etc. If there is no cover for nesting, dome-shaped mounds will be constructed, but these are usually only found in open spaces, such as fields, parks and lawns. These mounds can reach heights of 40 cm (15.7 in), and can also be as deep as five feet.[1] Colonies are founded by small groups of queens or single queens. Even if only one queen survives, within a month or so, the colony can expand to thousands of individuals. Some colonies may be polygynous (having multiple queens per nest).[1]

Roles

Solenopsis queens and workers
Fire ants with a dead Romalea guttata grasshopper

Queen

A queen is generally the largest individual in the colony. Her primary function is reproduction; she may live for six to seven years and produce up to 1,500 eggs per day.

Males / drones

Males mate with the queen for the sole purpose of producing offspring. Their lifespan is approximately four days.

Workers

The workers are sterile females which build and repair the nest, care for the young, defend the nest, and feed both young and adult ants. The worker ants also go find supplies to build up the colony.

Introduced species

Further information: Red imported fire ant and invasive subspecies

Although most fire ant species do not bother people and are not invasive due to biological factors, Solenopsis invicta, known in the United States as the red imported fire ant (or RIFA) is an invasive pest in many areas of the world, notably the United States, Australia, the Philippines, China and Taiwan. The RIFA was accidentally introduced into the United States aboard a South American cargo ship that docked at the port of Mobile, Alabama, in the 1930s, but now infests the majority of the Southern and Southwestern United States.[2]

In the US, the FDA estimates more than US$5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in RIFA-infested areas. Furthermore, the ants cause approximately US$750 million in damage annually to agricultural assets, including veterinarian bills and livestock loss, as well as crop loss.[3] Over 40 million people live in RIFA-infested areas in the southeastern United States.[4] Between 30 and 60% of the people living in fire ant-infested areas are stung each year.[5] Since September 2004, Taiwan has been seriously affected by the red fire ant. The US, Taiwan and Australia all have ongoing national efforts to control or eradicate the species, but, other than Australia, none have been especially effective. In Australia, an intensive program costing A$175 million has, at February 2007, eradicated 99% of fire ants from the sole infestation occurring in south east Queensland.

In just 70 years, according to a new study, lizards in parts of the United States have developed longer legs and new behaviors to escape the ants, which can kill the lizard in under a minute.[6]

Symptoms and first aid

A human leg three days after coming in brief contact with a fire ant colony

The venom of fire ants is composed of alkaloids such as piperidine (see Solenopsis saevissima), and the sting swells into a bump, which can cause much pain and irritation at times, especially when stung repeatedly by several ants. The bump often forms into a white pustule, which is at risk of becoming infected if scratched; however, if left alone, it will usually flatten within a few days. The pustules are obtrusive and uncomfortable while active and, if the sting sites become infected, can turn into scars. Additionally, some people are allergic to the venom, and as with many allergies, may experience anaphylaxis, which requires emergency treatment.[7] An antihistamine or topical corticosteroids may help reduce the itching.

First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines.

Victims who experience severe or life-threatening allergic reactions to fire ant insect stings should visit a doctor or hospital immediately upon contact, as these reactions can result in death. These more severe reactions include severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling, or slurred speech.[9]

Other names

In Spanish, fire ants are known as hormiga colorada/roja (red ant) or hormiga brava (fierce ant). In the Dominican Republic, they are known as hormiga Caribe. In Portuguese, they are called formiga de fogo (fire ant) and formiga lava-pé (wash foot ant).

Natural predators

Phorid flies, or Phoridae, are a family of small, hump-backed flies resembling fruit flies; two species in this family (Pseudacteon tricuspis and Pseudacteon curvatus) are parasitoids of the red imported fire ant in its native range in South America. Some 110 species of the genus Pseudacteon, or ant-decapitating flies, have been described. Members of Pseudacteon reproduce by laying eggs in the thorax of the ant. The first instar larvae migrates to the head, then develops by feeding on the hemolymph, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. After about two weeks, they cause the ant's head to fall off by releasing an enzyme that dissolves the membrane attaching the ant's head to its body. The fly pupates in the detached head capsule, requiring a further two weeks before emerging.[10]

Pseudacteon flies have been widely introduced throughout the southern United States, starting with Travis, Brazos, and Dallas counties in Texas, as well as Mobile, Alabama, where the ants first entered North America.

Species

This species list is complete.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Colonies in Florida dissected and observed with greater than five queens". Bioone.org. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  2. ^ "Imported Fire Ants". University of Minnesota.
  3. ^ McDonald, Maggie (2006). "Reds Under Your Feet (interview with Robert Vander Meer)". New Scientist. 189 (2538): 50. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Anaphylaxis due to Red Imported Fire Ant sting". The Medical Journal of Australia 2002.
  5. ^ "Public health significance of Urban Pests". World Health Organization Technical Report.Pharaoh ants and fire ants.p.175-208. June 25, 2008.
  6. ^ "Lizards' Dance Avoids Deadly Ants". LiveScience. January 26, 2009.
  7. ^ deShazo RD, Butcher BT, Banks WA (1990). "Reactions to the stings of the imported fire ant". N. Engl. J. Med. 323 (7): 462–6. doi:10.1056/NEJM199008163230707. PMID 2197555.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Bastiaan M. Drees (2002-12). "Medical Problems And Treatment Considerations For The Red Imported Fire Ant" (PDF). Texas A&M University. p. 4. Retrieved 2009-09-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "Insects and Scorpions". The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  10. ^ Rachel Ehrenberg. "Ant Venom Attracts Decapitating Flies", Science News, September 20, 2009

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solenopsis.
Wikispecies has information related to Solenopsis.
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