Fire Ants

Description

Fire ant is the common name for several species of ants in the genus Solenopsis. Solenopsis are stinging ants and most of their common names reflect this, for example, ginger ants and tropical fire ants. Many species also are called red ants because of their light brown color, though species of ants in many other genera are similarly named for similar reasons.

The bodies of mature fire ants, like the bodies of all typical mature insects, are divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen, with three pairs of legs and a pair of antennae. Fire ants of those species invasive in the United States can be distinguished from other ants locally present by their copper brown head and body with a darker abdomen. The worker ants are blackish to reddish and their size varies from 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch.. In an established nest these different sizes of ants all are present at the same time

Behavior

A typical fire ant colony produces large mounds in open areas, and feeds mostly on young plants and seeds. 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), and the after effects of the sting can be deadly to sensitive people.

FIre Ant Invaders

Although most fire ant species do not bother people and are not invasive, 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, China and Taiwan. The RIFA was believed to have been accidentally introduced to these countries via shipping crates.

Fire Ant Stings

The venom of fire ants is mainly composed of oily alkaloids structurally derived from piperidine mixed with a small amount of toxic proteins. Fire ant stings are painful, characterised by a local burning sensation, followed by hives. The sting site typically swells into a bump within hours, which can cause further pain and irritation, especially following several stings are at the same place. The bump may develop into a white pustule within 24-36h which can become infected if scratched, but will spontaneously flatten within a few days if left alone.

Predators

Phorid flies are the only real predators of fire ants. The Phorid fly starts off by laying its eggs in the thorax of the ant. When the larvae hatch, they migrate to the head and develops by feeding on the ants “blood”, then eats muscle and nervous tissue. The larvae release an enzyme into the membrane between the ant’s head and body and 2 weeks later, the ant’s head fall off. The fly pupates in the head for a few weeks and then emerges from the dead ant.

How to Get Rid of Fire Ants

Fire Ants are aggressive and can be extremely dangerous. Many humans who have ventured too close to their mounds have been severely stung and many have died as a result of fire ant attacks. This is not a job for the faint hearted and is best left to professional exterminators.