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Ants

Red imported fire ant
Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Status
Exotic (but present in Australia)

Dorsal View - large worker

Caption: no label data on specimen

Source: Amy Carmichael Queensland University of Technology

Fire ants are ~2-6 mm long: variation in size is one distinguishing characteristics. They are coppery-brown in colour on the head and body, with a darker abdomen. The ant mound or nest has no obvious entry or exit holes. When the mound is disturbed, dozens to hundreds of reddish-brown worker ants crawl up the vertical surfaces (grass and other objects) on and around the mound.

PaDIL Links:
Yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)
Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)
Singapore ant (Monomorium destructor)
Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis)
black house ant (Ochetellus glaber)
Crazy Ant (Paratrechina longicornis)
Tropical Fire Ant (Solenopsis geminata)
white-footed ant (Technomyrmex albipes)
electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata)

Specimen contact point: Queensland Museum

Citation: Carmichael, A. (2006) Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta ) Pest and Diseases Image Library. Updated on 10/20/2006 3:23:10 PM. Available online: http://www.padil.gov.au

Created Date: 5/30/2005 12:13:01 PM

Last Updated: 10/20/2006 3:23:10 PM

Diagnostic Images
Abdomen	Abdomen	Abdomen	Head Front
Head Front	Head Side	Head Side	Head Top
Thorax Above	Thorax Above	Thorax Side	Thorax Side
Overview Images
Dorsal	Lateral	Posterior
Other Images
Lateral View - large worker	Dorsal View - small worker	Lateral View - small worker