are imported fire.ants large
History: The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is native to the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil. It was introduced into the United States at Mobile, Alabama, about 1940. The exact date and method of introduction is not known. The sensation of a fire ant burn has been described as “stinging” and “intense burning,” and fire ants are known to attack potential threats or prey in large numbers. A fire ant colony may contain 100,000 to 500,000 insects, thus increasing the likelihood that multiple stings will be inflicted. The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) has long been known to the science since the early twentieth century. They are highly aggressive ants. If provoked, fire ants will come out of their nests and attack in large numbers. They are thought to consume dead animals and insects. Fire ant workers grow to a length of 0.062 inch they seem more like southern fire ants. They are recognized by their reddish bodies but the last segment of the abdomen is shiny dark brown. Red imported fire ants have large eyes. Fire ants are unique in their nesting habits and behavior. Typically nest in the ground. At times, nests may appear as visible mounds of 61 cm in diameter and about 18 cm high. Large colonies can have up to 250,000 workers. Very active and aggressive, they will sting any intruding animal repeatedly. Fire ants are omnivorous. Known to eat meats, greasy and sweet materials. Fire ants are omnivores, meaning they will feed on animal or vegetable sources of food. Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is a small reddish brown ant from South America . There are six known species of fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) in the United States, three of which are found in Arizona. These three species are the southern fire ant (S. xyloni), and two species of desert fire ant (S. aurea and S. amblychila). Imported fire ants spread naturally during their mating flights. This spread is usually one mile or less but flights of up to 12 miles have been recorded. The flights occur most commonly in the spring or early summer, one or two days after a rain when the weather is warm and sunny and the wind is light. Red Fire Ants and Fire Ant Treatment. Both native and Red Imported Fire Ants can sting. Red Imported Fire Ants are very aggressive and their sting can cause reactions ranging from irritation and nausea to even more severe reactions. Red Fire Ants are also known to attack animals that intrude on their nests. Texas Invasives Database - Solenopsis invicta. TexasInvasives.org. The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Species of the Galveston Bay Area - Red Imported Fire Ant; RIFA. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program; Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). Invasive Species Compendium - Solenopsis invicta. Red Fire Ant and Diet. Red Imported Fire Ants will not only forage for food (such as small insects, dead animals, and sweet materials such as plant secretions) but will kill insects and small animals to feed . The Southern Fire Ant is attracted to a variety of foods including protein, greases, and sweet foods.
No, it is a small reddish brown ant from South America.