More than 20 species of fire ants live in the United States. Each has its own look and place where it lives. The ones that cause the most trouble are the imported fire ants. They are fierce and their stings are very painful.
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), called RIFA, is the most famous one. It came to the U.S. by mistake in 1933 through Mobile and Pensacola. This ant now lives in the southeast from North Carolina to Texas and also in New Mexico and California.
The black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) arrived in Mobile in 1918. It can be found in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. These two imports are a big problem for many people and businesses.
Besides the imports, the U.S. has its own fire ants. The southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni) is common in the south. The tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is now all over the world because of trade. There are also desert fire ants like Solenopsis aurea and Solenopsis amblychila in the southwest. The little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) lives in the southeast and Hawaii.
Fire Ant Species Names
Fire ants belong to the genus Solenopsis. While many species in this genus are referred to as fire ants, not all of them are. Here’s a list of the most well-known fire ant species:
- Solenopsis invicta (Red imported fire ant)
- Solenopsis geminata (Tropical fire ant)
- Solenopsis richteri (Black imported fire ant)
- Solenopsis xyloni (Southern fire ant)
- Solenopsis aurea (Golden fire ant)
- Solenopsis saevissima (South American fire ant)
Other Solenopsis species that are sometimes called fire ants include:
- Solenopsis pythia
- Solenopsis pusillignis
- Solenopsis virulens
- Solenopsis wagneri
It’s worth noting that the genus Solenopsis contains over 200 described species, not all of which are considered fire ants. Some other notable Solenopsis species (though not typically called fire ants) include:
- Solenopsis molesta (Thief ant)
- Solenopsis fugax (Furtive ant)
- Solenopsis globularia
- Solenopsis papuana
Categorizing Fire Ant Species
In the southeastern United States, there are two main fire ant species. They are the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri). These ants are not from here. They were brought accidentally and have caused many problems.
Imported Fire Ants
Since 1972, scientists have known about the red imported fire ant. It got to the United States in the 1930s, probably through Mobile, Alabama. The black imported fire ant arrived first in 1918 through the same place. But, people didn’t notice it was a different ant until later.
These ants came from South America. They cause trouble in the warm, wet southeast of the United States. They are not nice. They sting, and their homes are hard to get rid of.
Fire ants like damp, shady places with lots of plants. They make homes in lawns, parks, and meadows. These homes can be deep and have big mounds on top. It is easy to tell when they might fly to mate. This happens when it’s warm and calm, but not too windy.
The life of a fire ant includes three steps: eggs, larvae, and pupae. They live in two types of colonies: one queen or many queens. Different ants in the colony do different jobs.
Fire ants eat both plants and animals. But, they can only eat liquid food. They are so small. Things like armadillos and birds eat them.
Native Fire Ant species Names
In North America, there are four main native fire ant types. You can find them in different areas. They are the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni), tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata), desert fire ants (Solenopsis aurea and Solenopsis amblychila), and the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata).
The southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni, lives in the southern United States. It’s also in Hawaii. You can see it a lot in yards and gardens.
The tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, has spread worldwide through trading. It’s bad for native butterflies. This ant is in the southeastern U.S.
The desert fire ants, Solenopsis aurea and Solenopsis amblychila, live in western Texas. They like the dry weather. They help make North America’s fire ants diverse.
Lastly, Wasmannia auropunctata, the little fire ant, is now in the southeastern U.S. and Hawaii. It causes problems for the local plants and animals.
| Fire Ant Species | Scientific Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Fire Ant | Solenopsis xyloni | Southern U.S., Southwestern U.S., Hawaii |
| Tropical Fire Ant | Solenopsis geminata | Globally widespread, Southeastern U.S. |
| Desert Fire Ant | Solenopsis aurea, Solenopsis amblychila | Western Texas |
| Little Fire Ant | Wasmannia auropunctata | Southeastern U.S., Hawaii |
Every native fire ant plays an important role in North America’s environment. Learning about them helps keep their numbers in check. This also shows how incredible these tiny creatures are.
Conclusion
In the United States, there are two main types of fire ants. One is the red imported fire ant, accidentally brought over in the 1930s. It causes a big health risk. Another is the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri. Among the natives, there are several types like the southern, tropical, desert, and little fire ants.
Knowing the exact type of fire ant is key to control them well. There are over 280 species around the world in the Solenopsis genus. Each may need a different plan to manage them. Learning about their features and habits helps us reduce their effects on our lives and nature.
By learning about fire ants, people and groups can get ready to face them. It’s important to keep studying and working together to deal with the fire ant problem. This helps protect our health, farms, and the land we live on.
