Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant)

Abstract

This datasheet on Solenopsis invicta covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

Pest categorisation of Solenopsis invicta

“…capitata CabbageGunawardana, 2014 Brassica oleracea var. viridis Collard greensMetcalf and Metcalf, 1993 Abelmoschus esculentus OkraGunawardana, 2014 Arachis hypogaea Groundnut/peanutGunawardana, 2014 Carya illinoinensis PecanGunawardana, 2014 Citrullus lanatus WatermelonGunawardana, 2014 Citrus Gunawardana, 2014 Cucumis sativus CucumberGunawardana, 2014 Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grassGunawardana, 2014 Fragaria ananassa StrawberryGunawardana, 2014 Glycine max SoyanbeanGunawardana, 2014 Helianthus annuus SunflowerGunawardana, 2014 Ipomoea batatas Sweet potatoGunawardana, 2014 Medicago falcata Yellow alfalfaGunawardana, 2014 Pinus PinesGunawardana, 2014 Solanum melongena AubergineGunawardana, 2014 Solanum tuberosum PotatoMetcalf and Metcalf, 1993 Sorghum bicolor SorghumGunawardana, 2014 Stenotaphrum secundatum* Buffalo grassGunawardana, 2014 Trifolium CloversGunawardana, 2014 …”

“…Males die soon after mating. Mated females seek out a suitable site for nesting, typically a few 100 m or, occasionally, a few kilometres from the nest they emerged from (Gunawardana, 2014 ). However, mated females are attracted to reflective surfaces and can land on cars, trains and other vehicles and can therefore spread hundreds of km from the natal colony (Vinson, 1997 ).…”

“…The surface of a mound has no entrance or exit holes, the workers exit and enter the nest via tunnels that radiate out up to 30 m from the mound (Vinson, 1997 ). In infested areas, nests are usually found in sunny open areas and are common in disturbed and irrigated areas, such as on lawns and golf courses, in gardens, parks and along roadsides (Gunawardana, 2014 ).…”

“…Ant mounds are visible to the naked eye. Undisturbed mounds on pasture‐land can be 45 cm high or more (Gunawardana, 2014 ). However, S. invicta nests may occur in grassland areas where the mounds are flattened by mowing and are consequently less obvious.…”

“…Eggs are spherical to oval, approximately 0.03 mm in diameter and creamy white. They have an adhesive coating allowing them to stick together (Petralia and Vinson, 1979 ; Gunawardana, 2014 ).…”