Solenopsis invicta x richteri

They are quite aggressive (and painful) and are taking over our living area! At the disturbed edge of a dense mixed forest.

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

You mean they get inside? Posted 5 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, they are all around our camper and have started scouting indoors as well. We have been stung multiple times already, so we are researching natural control methods right now.
  They also REALLY love electronics, and I was stung when I picked up my power pack when mothing out back a couple of weeks ago. So painful! Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That does sound scary, especially given their numbers! I believe we had red forest ants that are possibly similar, almost everybody has once sit in the wrong spot and found out. Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      I was just watching a short documentary on Solenopsis invicta last night. Georgia Tech has been researching their behavior and the physics of their behaviors--and they are capable of forming:
      - a knit that serves as a raft (during flood conditions)
      - a viscoelastic structure called an "ant ball"
      -they also act like a viscous fluid when put under stress/strain
      
      https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-11/aps-far112019.php
      
      Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        What the.... Posted 5 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Really fascinating, aren't they?! Posted 5 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Yes, never seen anything like it. What a clever survival strategy! Posted 5 years ago

The Solenopsis invicta x richteri

Solenopsis invicta X richteri, is a hybrid between S. invicta (the red imported fire ant) and S. richteri (the black imported fire ant). The hybrid fire ant, along with both S. invicta and S. richteri, is a major agricultural and urban pest throughout the southeastern states that also causes both medical and environmental harm resulting in a cost of many millions of dollars per year for southeastern states.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling