Red Imported Fire Ant

Habitat

• A hot climate specialist, inhabiting hot arid regions
• It may survive cold climates by inhabiting climate-controlled buildings or greenhouses
• Prefers open sunny environments and disturbed habitats, such as forest edges and agricultural land, where it builds nests in the sun
• In infested areas, colonies can be found in lawns, gardens, parks, roadsides and golf courses

Description

• Worker ants are wingless, dark red/brown in colour with black abdomens
• Workers can have 4 different physical forms ranging in size from 1.5-5mm in length
• Reproductive ants are winged, the males have a smaller head and a shiny black body, compared to the reddish-brown females
• Colonies can have a single queen or multiple queens, with multi-queen colonies reaching higher densities of up to 50 million ants/hectare
• They give a painful defensive sting
• They build dome shaped nests, up to 40cm tall, with no obvious entry or exit

Origin and Worldwide Distribution

• Native to central South America, S. invicta is now present in the USA, Asia, Australia and several Caribbean Islands
• It was introduced to New Zealand but has since been eradicated

Potential or Known Impacts

• They infest and damage electrical equipment, causing potential harm to humans
• They feed on the seeds, seedlings and developing fruit of native plants and commercially important crops, disrupting pollination, seed dispersal and germination
• Native fauna is negatively impacted through predation, competition and/or stinging
• Newly infested areas see a decline in the species richness of native ants
• The sting can seriously injure animals, causing blindness, swelling and sometimes death
• Infested public areas, such as parks, cannot be enjoyed
• Positive impacts through direct consumption of other crop pests, such as caterpillars

Is it found in Northern Ireland

• It is not currently present in Northern Ireland

How could it get here?

• Introductions are a result of the accidental human transport/shipment of soil or materials containing colonies or mated queens, such as potted plants, topsoil, mulch and agricultural equipment
• This is the likely pathway for spread today

Management/Methods for Prevention:

• Prevention via enforcing the IAS (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) ensuring that S.  invicta is not introduced to Northern Ireland
• Reporting any sightings so that Rapid Response can be instigated
• If Rapid Response is not successful, management can include physical and chemical control

Current Legislative Position (Listed on 02 August 2022)

• This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.

Research

Species Related Files:

RA_Solenopsis_invicta_Red_imported_fire_ant