![]() How can I tell the difference between fire ants and termites?Īlthough most ants are recognizable, some forms of winged ants are often confused with termites, especially during the termite swarming season. Multiple queen (polygyne form): more than one and up to hundreds of unrelated queens per colony smaller average worker ants worker ants move freely from one mound to another and share resources mound densities greater than 300 mound per acre more ants per acre. Single queen (monogyne form): only one queen (reproductively active wingless female) per colony or mound slightly larger worker ants members of colonies are territorial mounds generally larger in size mound densities usually less than 300 mounds per acre fewer ants per acre. There are two genetically distinct forms or the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta: The single queen or monogyne form and the multiple queen or polygyne form. What is the difference between single queen and multiple queen forms of the red imported fire ant? These ants specialize in collecting and milling seeds, but build mounds similar to red imported fire ants. geminata will have a few larger workers with large, square-shaped bi-lobed heads. To the unaided eye, they are almost identical to red imported fire ants. Solenopsis geminata, the tropical fire ant, is the most common native fire ant species encountered. Red imported fire ants are an exotic invasive species and in many areas of Texas they have displaced other species of fire ants native to the state. Porter, USDA-ARS), with the largest workers 2 or 3 times larger than the smallest. Some uncertainty comes from the fact that red imported fire ants vary in size (1/16 to almost 1/4 inch long – see image by S. Leafcutter ants are also much larger and have a distinctive built-up dense cluster of mounds at the colony’s center called a “town”, and have many entrance holes over a very large area.Ĭan I tell the difference between fire ants and native ants? How large are fire ants? Harvester ants are much larger and make large bare areas with a single entrance hole to the colony. Other small to medium-sized ants that build small nests in soil often have central nest openings through which the ants enter and leave whereas fire ants mounds have no central openings. ![]() Many native ant species have worker ants that are uniform in size and may vary in body color. Worker fire ants vary in size from small (1/16 inch) to large (almost ¼ inch) in length. Their sting usually leaves a white pustule on the skin. When disturbed, fire ants emerge aggressively, crawling up vertical surfaces, biting and stinging “all at once”. In cold, dry areas such as the High Plains of Texas, mounds are usually much smaller and harder to detect. Mounds are rarely larger than 18″ in diameter. ![]() Red imported fire ants or Solenopsis invicta are medium-sized red and black colored ants that build mounds of soft soil. What are red imported fire ants? What makes them different from Texas native ants? ![]()
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