Solenopsis geminata is a seed harvesting ant, and major workers have massive heads for powering the blunt seed-milling mandibles.

Durban, South Africa
Solenopsis invicta

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta, young alate queen in the nest.

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta fire ant

Austin, Texas, USA
A series of fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) nests along a curb.

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta stinging, an activity this species performs with particular zest.  To sting, a fire ant first bites her target with her mandibles.  The bite anchors her in place and provides leverage to insert the stinger.  The bite itself is harmless, it is the subsequent sting that carries the venom and the pain.

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

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

Austin, Texas, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013