Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Harmful Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Southern fire ant

Southern fire ant

Solenopsis xyloni

A species of Fire ants, Also known as Cotton ant

Southern fire ant is a species adapted for cooperative living, with a sophisticated social structure organized around a single reproducing queen and varying castes of workers. This species exhibits an aggressive defense mechanism, emitting a sting that delivers a painful venom to deter predators. With a diet that includes proteins and sugars, southern fire ant forage efficiently, utilizing pheromone trails for their scavenging activities, highlighting their advanced communication systems.

Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Bite Humans
Bite Humans
Does the Southern fire ant sting humans?
Human Stinging
Cause Disease in Humans
Pathogenic
General Info About Southern fire ant
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Southern fire ant
Colors
Brown
Black
Habitat
desert scrub; chaparral; mixed hardwood forest; oak woodland; agricultural area; pine forest
Adult Food Sources
Insects and arachnids, sugary substances like nectar or honeydew, seeds and grains, animal carcasses, organic debris and human food waste
Larva Food Source
Digested liquid food provided by worker ants (trophallaxis), small invertebrates, sweet secretions from aphids (honeydew), eggs of other insects, proteins from various organic sources
Biting/stinging
The Southern fire ant may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
The Southern fire ant has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Defensive attack
The Southern fire ant has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Southern fire ant
Widely distributed
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Southern fire ant
Southern parts of the United States
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Southern fire ant
Ant-eating birds, spiders, parasitic wasps, anteaters, armadillos
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Southern fire ant
Southern fire ant can alter their pheromones to deceive other ant species, effectively infiltrating their colonies without being detected.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Southern fire ant
Class
Bugs
Icon allow
Order
Bees
Icon allow
Family
Ants
Icon allow
Tips for Finding Southern fire ant
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Southern fire ant
Deserts and Arid Regions, Urban and Suburban Areas, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Southern fire ant Through Different Life Stages
Eggs of southern fire ant are typically located within the protected chambers of the underground nests. Larvae, once hatched, are also found in these subterranean nest chambers, where workers attend to them. Pupae develop in the same nests, often in separate chambers designed for pupation. To find these stages, one would search in sandy or loose soil, often in open areas exposed to the sun. Adult southern fire ant can be found foraging on the ground, often along trails, near food sources such as plants or under rocks and logs. Careful examination of the ground, looking for small mounds or openings to nests, is the best way to locate their colonies and observe various life stages.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Southern fire ant
The best time to find southern fire ant is usually on warm days, when they are most active.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Southern fire ant
Dry conditions are generally more suitable for finding southern fire ant as they are less active during rain.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Southern fire ant at Different Life Stages
Adult Southern fire ant workers are the ones most commonly seen. They can be found on the ground, searching for food. To locate them, follow their trails, which often lead back to their nest.
The southern fire ant queen is typically found in the nest. To find her, one might need to carefully excavate a nest found by tracking worker ants back from a food source.
During certain times of the year, usually in summer, southern fire ant will partake in a mating flight. Observing the skies at this time might reveal swarms of southern fire ant which are easier to locate due to their numbers.
Are Southern fire ant harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle

Are Southern fire ant harmful to humans?

Different kinds of ants cause different troubles to humans. To be sure, compared with other dangerous creatures, common ants are very harmful to humans, and most of them just gather in the courtyard or room to disturb human life.
But there are some dangerous groups. They have strong jaws and sting needles and can bite or sting when under stress. Usually, ants only cause physical damage and the pain caused by formic acid. These discomforts do not even need to be dealt with, and can be recovered quickly. But there are still very few ant stings that can cause allergies and even death. Other ants can pollute the environment, destroy buildings, affect harvests and even spread diseases.
Harmful Effects of Southern fire ant
Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects
Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Icon toxic for
Toxic to Animals
Icon toxic for
Bite Humans
Icon toxic for
Human Stinging
Rectangle
Toxic to Animals

Southern fire ant typically uses its toxin as a means to subdue prey, delivering it through its mouthparts. The toxicity, although considered mild, can effectively immobilize smaller arthropods and insects. When these groups encounter southern fire ant, they may experience paralysis or discomfort as a result of the bite, particularly during southern fire ant's adult stage. The specific reactions to the toxin can vary among different species, but generally, it serves as an efficient predatory tool for southern fire ant.

Rectangle
Bite Humans

Southern fire ant may bite humans typically in self-defense or when disturbed, using its mandibles. Adults exhibit this behavior primarily to protect their nest. The immediate effect of a bite is usually mild discomfort, as they are known for their less aggressive nature compared to other species in the same genus.

Rectangle
Does the Southern fire ant sting humans?

Southern fire ant typically sting in self-defense or to protect their colony. These stings can result in painful, localized reactions in humans. Stinging usually occurs when their nests are disturbed, leading to aggressive behavior. Southern fire ant have a unique ability to sting multiple times, unlike some bees, as they don't lose their stingers or die after stinging.

More Effects of Southern fire ant

Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Southern fire ant
Fire ant
Fire ant

Solenopsis geminata is an ant species from the Myrmicinae subfamily. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1804 by Fabricius.

Read More
Arrow
Thief ant
Thief ant

Solenopsis molesta, also known as thief ants , get their names from their habit of nesting close to other ant nests, from which they steal food. They are also called grease ants because they are attracted to grease. Nuptial flight in this species occur from late July through early fall.

Read More
Arrow
Red Imported Fire Ant
Red Imported Fire Ant

The red Imported Fire Ant( Solenopsis invicta ) is native to central South America. These aggressive ants can pose a serious threat to the health of humans, plants, and animals. The worker ants can sting their enemies repeatedly, unlike honeybee for once, and attack anything that disturbs them. In order to get honeydew easily, they farm aphids on plants, which are also harmful to plants. The red Imported Fire Ant cause billions of loss annually in the US.

Read More
Arrow
Aphaenogaster swammerdami
Aphaenogaster swammerdami

Aphaenogaster swammerdami is an ant species from the subfamily of the Myrmicinae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1886 by Trout.

Read More
Arrow
Aphaenogaster swammerdami clara
Aphaenogaster swammerdami clara

Read More
Arrow
Gliding ants
Gliding ants

Cephalotes atratus is a large, mainly black ant; workers are 8 - 15 mm in length and females 2 cm. Males are up to 1.4 cm and have black heads and thoraxes, and dark reddish-brown gasters and limbs. The workers are spiny and heavily armoured with powerful mandibles for chewing through wood.

Read More
Arrow
Striated ant
Striated ant

Huberia striata is an ant species from the subfamily of the Myrmicinae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1876 by Smith, F ..

Read More
Arrow
Labidus coecus
Labidus coecus

This species of army ant lives mainly underground, only emerging to forage for food. Its raids on other species are thought to help to protect ant species diversity. They also prey upon pest species such as screwworm larvae, which protects the livestock that this worm infects.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow