Solenopsis invicta
(Formicidae)
red imported fire ant, RIFA, fire ant
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Solenopsis invicta
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The red imported fire ant (RIFA) (Solenopsis invicta) is a small reddish-brown to black ant with a powerful sting. RIFA is native to South America, and has caused severe problems in the southeastern United States and other areas outside its native range where it has been introduced. Solenopsis invicta respond rapidly and aggressively to disturbances and can be very problematic in people's yards and in natural areas. A single fire ant can sting its target repeatedly. Young and newborn animals are especially susceptible. These ants will also girdle young trees and feed on the buds and fruits of numerous crop plants, especially corn, soybeans, okra, and citrus. Large nests located in fields interfere with and damage equipment during cultivation and harvesting, while ant attacks inhibit field-worker activities of agriculture.
USDA-APHIS-PPQ: Imported Fire Ants
This website contains quarantine maps, fact sheets, and other information on fire ants.
Fire Ants - What are
This page, provided by the Queensland Government, describes what they look like, what to do if you are stung, and what to do if you find a nest.
Solenopsis invicta (insect)
Lots of information, including description, range, habitat, diet, life cycle, control, images, and more is provided here.
Solenopsis invicta
A description of Solenopsis invicta, its distribution globally, and its potential impact if existing incursions are allowed to establish themselves in New Zealand is provided by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
Information about Solenopsis invicta from IUCN's ISSG/GISD
Information about Solenopsis invicta is available from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) (a product of IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group [ISSG]).
HNIS report on Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant; RIFA) for Hawaii 
Rod Randall - Western Australia Dept. of Agriculture
Red Imported Fire Ant species profile (USDA)
Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) links, including citation database, distribution maps, quarantine information, and publications, are provided by the National Invasive Species Information Center.
Solenopsis invicta information
Red imported fire ant (RIFA) ecology, habitat, dispersal, and management are from The Global Invasive Species Database.
Solenopsis invicta description and ecology from GISD (ISSG)
A species description and information about the ecology of Solenopsis invicta as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Red imported fire ants: Small ants, big problems
This comprehensive, interactive fire ant website was designed as a resource for K-12 schools in Australia.
USGS Red Imported Fire Ant pest alert (low resolution)
USGS Red Imported Fire Ant pest alert (low resolution)
Fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) invade USA
The history and impact of the red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in the United States is provided here, along with case history of a Texas town's response to the invasion.
Solenopsis invicta impact information from GISD (ISSG)
Impact information regarding Solenopsis invicta as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
First virus to infect red imported fire ants discovered
The first known virus to infect the destructive and costly red imported fire ant (RIFA) was recently discovered by Agricultural Research Service scientists. The newly found natural agent is a virus in the Dicistroviridae family, which is related to the well-known picorna-like viruses.
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Photo: Fire ants swarming on a wooden stick. Link to photo information
Widely disliked for their venomous, painful stings, fire ants have spread across much of the southern United States. Click the image for more information about it.
First Virus to Infect Red Imported Fire Ants Discovered
By Jim Core
November 30, 2004
The first known virus to infect the destructive and costly red imported fire ant (RIFA) was recently discovered by Agricultural Research Service scientists.
RIFA, Solenopsis invicta, currently infests about 300 million acres in the United States. Although RIFA is native to South America, it thrives here because of a lack of natural enemies. Fire ants cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The ants occasionally kill young, unprotected livestock and wildlife, and they inflict a painful sting that is sometimes deadly to humans.
Steven M. Valles, an entomologist with the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE) in Gainesville, Fla., and colleagues at CMAVE and the ARS Horticulture and Breeding Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Fla., have identified a new natural enemy of RIFA.
The newly found natural agent is a virus in the Dicistroviridae family, which is related to the well-known picorna-like viruses. The entire genome has been sequenced, and studies suggest the virus, tentatively named Solenopsis invicta virus-1 (SINV-1), may be an excellent biological control agent for fire ants. Scientists use natural organisms as part of a strategy to reduce RIFA numbers without using pesticides.
A survey in Florida locations found that approximately 23 percent of RIFA nests examined were infected with SINV-1. The virus infects all fire ant castes and stages of development, and Valles was able to successfully transmit the viral infection to uninfected fire ant nests.
Brood in infected colonies died within three months during laboratory studies, but the effect of the virus on field populations is still being evaluated.... ARS researchers are currently examining SINV-1 to determine its effectiveness and potential for use as a sustainable, microbial control agent against the red imported fire ant.
Fire Ants in Southern Lawns
This 16 page documents includes general information, a detailed distribution map for the United States, and an in-depth discussion on control methods.
NATURAL PEST CONTROL FOR HOME GARDENS & LAWNS, Vol. I, #7
A description of the fire ant problem and information on the damage caused and treatments for this imported pest is available here.
Invasive alien species: How to address one of the greatest threats to biodiversity
A comprehensive strategy to combat invasives is in this "toolkit of best prevention and management practices" from the Global Invasive Species Programme (2000).
The Best Control of Fire Ants
This in-depth site feature information on the species identification, life cycle, control, stings, and more.
The Best Control of Fire Ants in PDF format
This in-depth site feature information on the species identification, life cycle, control, stings, and more.
Fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) control and treatment
Fire ant control using detection, containment, and eradication is covered on this comprehensive Australian page.
Solenopsis invicta management information from GISD (ISSG)
Management information for Solenopsis invicta as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Review of the efficacy of baits used for ant control and
eradication
Ant species have varying responses to toxins and baits used for their control. This extensive review of published reports is a preamble to the development of recommendations for New Zealand.
Solenopsis invicta images
Images of Solenopsis geminata are on this Wikipedia site.
Solenopsis invicta images (Starr)
Images of Solenopsis invicta (Formicidae) (red imported fire ant are provided by from Forest and Kim Starr.
UC IPM Photo
This image of a red imported fire ant adult is provided by the University of California.
Fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) invade USA
The history and impact of the red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in the United States is provided here, along with case history of a Texas town's response to the invasion.
Solenopsis invicta worldwide distribution from GISD (ISSG)
Worldwide distribution information about Solenopsis invicta is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
Nine to twenty individual fire ant queens started U.S. fire ant population
Genetic studies of red imported fire ants reveal the origins of the invasion to several queens in Mobile, Alabama (Science Daily, 2008).
Nine to twenty individual fire ant queens started U.S. fire ant population
Genetic studies of red imported fire ants reveal the origins of the invasion to several queens in Mobile, Alabama (Science Daily, 2008).
Afraid of RIFA (Red Imported Fire Ants)? Should be. (Raising Islands Blog, 18 August 2007)
Bloggist Jan TenBruggencate warns of the potential health and economic impacts of an invasion of red imported fire ants in Hawaii.
Hunt on for invasive fire ants (Fiji)
A workshop in Fiji helped entomologists and quarantine officers recognize the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata).
Fire ant is little, but can cause big trouble
The fire ant is the topic of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Kiai Moku Maui News column (1/11/2007).
Little fire ants invade the Big Island
The little red fire ant has become established on the Big Island and is causing more havoc than coqui in the community (ABC News, 14 February 2005).
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in New Zealand port exposes threat to Hawaii
An infestation of red imported fire ants (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta) found in a New Zealand port town alerts Hawaii invasive species specialists to the islands' vulnerability to this dangerous pest (The Honolulu Advertiser, Feb 23, 2004, by Jan TenBruggencate).
Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives)
Veitch, C.R. and M.N. Clout (eds.) . 2002. Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. vii + 414pp. ISBN: 2-8317-0682-3.
An updated, indexed bibliography of the herpetofauna of Florida
Enge, Kevin M. 2002. An updated, indexed bibliography of the herpetofauna of Florida. Technical report no. 19.
The causes and consequenses of ant invasions
This article reviews the ecological effects of invasive ants on continents and islands. Tables and extensive references are provided.
Pacific Ant Group e-mail list (PAG-L@HAWAII.EDU)
The Pacific Ant Group discussion forum facilitates communication toward preventing establishment of Red Imported fire ant and other invasive ants on Pacific islands.
HNIS report on Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant; RIFA) for Hawaii
Rod Randall - Western Australia Dept. of Agriculture
Hoike o Haleakala Curriculum # Fire Ants and the Future of Maui Wetlands
This unit engages students in efforts at early detection of fire ants on Maui, and challenges them to help minimize the potential threat to wetlands and endangered species here by developing a prevention and action plan.
Hoike o Haleakala Curriculum # Red Imported Fire Ant Prevention & Quick Response Plan
Students read about Solenopsis invicta and develop a #RIFA Prevention
and Quick Response Plan# for the island of Maui.
Hoike o Haleakala Curriculum # Race to the Wetlands Game
In this board style game students learn about good research technique for collecting little red fire ants.
ISSG Database: Contacts for Solenopsis invicta
This is a list of email address for people to contact for more information on Solenopsis invicta.
Red imported fire ant information from Wikipedia
Impacts of Solenopsis invicta and control measures are described in the Wikipedia article.
Solenopsis invicta references from GISD (ISSG)
References regarding Solenopsis invicta as an invasive species is provided from the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
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| The content of this page is based on information last generated on 16 October 2017 by PT. The template for this page was created on 15 March 2004 by EMS, and was last updated on 20 February 2006 by PT. |
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