(Example: S. invicta, fire ant, red imported fire ant, RIFA, IFA). The senior author received his Ph.D. at UF in Fall 2006. Myrmica rubra has become a significant pest in areas in the northeastern U.S. primarily because these aggressive, stinging ants interfere with people's use and enjoyment of their properties, gardens and parks. However, RIFA has both single and multiple queen forms, so a portion of a colony can branch off to become an autonomous unit. For most people, the common name fire ants is sufficient to evoke a clear image of this insect pest (especially if you’ve been stung! What’s in a Name? 2000). Queen ants are larger (3/8 inch) and have no wings after mating. Distribution of an invasive Ant, Groden E. (2003).
Reducing nesting sites will reduce the populations and force the ants to nest elsewhere.
Since 2001, entomologists at the University of Maine have conducted periodic surveys to determine the movement of and the area colonized by the ant. Figure 1. The public should be aware of the risk involved in transporting materials from infested areas. Many … Some of these species are not very common in the northeastern United States and most are rarely found in disturbed areas, which help us to recognize Myrmica rubra in the field. Artificial spread is primarily by transport of queen-right colonies or mated queens in soil attached to plants or plant parts. 2005). Natural dispersal of approximately five miles a year occur through flight of mated females. Fire ants can be collected and stored in alcohol by placing an alcohol filled vial in the top of a mound and allowing ants to run up the sides of the vial and into the alcohol.
A colony matures sexually and produces alates at the end of the second year. For more information about the management of European fire ants, or any other pestiferous ants in gardens, yards, landscapes, or parks, please contact the local Cooperative Extension Service Office. These dark reddish-brown ants are an invasive species found throughout the southern part of the U.S. Keep reading to le arn more red ant facts, including information on red ant bites and more. The second part of the scientific name is the last name of the scientist credited for describing the species. Other control tactics are currently under evaluation. Ant activity can be hard to detect if the colony is small and underground, so careful observation is necessary. Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Scientific Name: Solenopsis invicta; Order and Family: Hymenoptera, Formicidae; Description. The antennae are 12-segmented with a four-segmented club and a bent scape. The fire ant worker is 1.6 to 6.0 mm in length, the minims being the smallest and the majors the largest. This information is based on the published literature and surveys conducted between 2002 and 2004. Their nest densities are extremely high in infested areas in the U.S., averaging between 0.5 and 1.5 nests per square meter, compared with 0.02 to 0.3 nests per square meter in their native habitat in England (Groden et al. Notice the sting, the two-segmented waist and the two spines on the propodeum. Disturbance of mounds results in a rapid defensive response by worker ants, which quickly run up vertical surfaces. The first adults (minims) to hatch beg food from the queen, but begin foraging after three days. The life cycle in the United States is still being studied. It originates in lowland areas of South America, primarily Brazil and Argentina. This ant is expected to colonize all irrigated agricultural areas and lawns in California. Two species of fire ants are found in Florida. Fire Ants or Imported Fire Ants? Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, For additional information, contact your local. Fire ants are omnivorous, but their primary diet consists of insects and other invertebrates. Myrmica laevinodis Nylander, 1846. Worker ants of the European fire ant, Myrmica rubra Linnaeus, attending aphids and other homopterans in Maine. Scientific name . 1996. This method will not eliminate Myrmica rubra, but may help to keep population densities low.
Sieve plates in the mouths of worker ants prevent ingestion of food particles.
1998. There are a few morphological differences that help to differentiate Myrmica rubra from the other ants within the same genus. Literature: Brandenburg and Villani 1995; Drees et al. The worker's body is cover with fine hairs.