A fire ant queen Solenopsis invicta looks for a suitable place to start a new colony after her mating flight. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Solenopsis

is a speciose myrmicine genus with a worldwide distribution. The group is best known for some of its larger members, the fire ants, but most of the diversity in Solenopsis is found in small subterranean species. Several species of fire ants- most notably Solenopsis invicta- have become economically important pests where introduced by human commerce.

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Among the most damaging pest ant species is Solenopsis invicta, a fire ant native to South America. This species has been accidentally imported to the southern United States, eastern Australia, China, and elsewhere. Here a worker fire ant is shown in stereotypical defensive posture, her sting extruded, waving a droplet of venom in the air.

Austin, Texas, USA

Solenopsis invicta

Frías, Santiago de Estero, Argentina

Workers of Solenopsis invicta in defensive posture.

Frías, Santiago de Estero, Argentina

Solenopsis invicta, a fire ant male runs in a column of workers.

Austin, Texas, USA

The distinctive soil mounds of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta help ants maintain humidity and temperature levels ideal for brood development.

Austin, Texas, USA

Solenopsis invicta, red imported fire ants

Austin, Texas, USA

Solenopsis invicta, young alate queen in the nest.

Austin, Texas, USA

Life is perilous for young queens. This fire ant queen (Solenopsis invicta) is being pursued by native Forelius ants, as she would make an excellent source of protein to feed the Forelius larvae. She frantically climbs a grass blade to escape, but to no avail.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

A fire ant queen Solenopsis invicta looks for a suitable place to start a new colony after her mating flight.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Canon EOS 50D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3904x2608 |

Current: 800x535 |

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Keywords: ants insect insects foraging invicta natural history queen ant queen ants formicidae myrmicinae solenopsis invicta solenopsis gyne fire ant queen foundress fire ant queens colony founding

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Solenopsis

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