American Red Fire Ant
Previously native to South America, Red Imported fire ants were introduced to the United States in the 1930's. It is believed that they may have entered the country by ship at Mobile, Alabama. Fire Ants have few natural predators in this environment, making them difficult to combat.
The red imported fire ant is possessed of a bite, which causes discomfort to most humans and many domesticated animals. The red fire ant first administers a bite and then stings. When it stings, it injects alkaloid venom into the skin via a stinger at the back of its abdomen. This venom can be deadly to a small percentage of the population. In the event that a victim experiences sweating, nausea or extreme itching, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately.
Like many other ant species, the red imported fire ant is a social insect. Red imported fire ant colonies may have a single queen or multiple queens. The primary role of the queen is to lay eggs to replace workers that perish and to enlarge the colony. Worker ants bring food to the queen.
After a colony has developed, male and female winged reproducers are created. They leave the colony to mate. Fertilized females then establish new colonies within several hundred feet of their home colonies.
Fire Ant Identification: What Does a Fire Ant Look Like
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