Solenopsis spp
Appearance:
Queens grow up to 15 mm, workers between 3-6 mm. The head is copper-colored like the body, only the abdomen is darker. The antennae have characteristic twig-like ends, which are particularly strikingly shaped in a queen.
Reproduction:
After mating, the queen looks for a place to lay her eggs, which are laid in late spring with up to 125 eggs. After 9-16 days, the larva has escaped from pupation and is on its way as an independent ant. After the first larvae have become workers, the queen lays more eggs and can lay up to 1,500 eggs per day. Meanwhile, the workers take care of the nest and larvae and forage for food. The sexually mature males are the last to hatch each year.
Way of life:
Dead insects, earthworms and vertebrates are on the menu. But honeydew and sugary substances, as well as proteins and fats, are also obtained by the workers. Mating takes place in flight during the high and late summer months. The males die afterwards. Remarkable is the high burrow with a height of up to 40 cm, which is usually built leaning against objects. The fire ant is known for its aggressiveness when disturbed and reacts with bites that turn into an itchy red pustule. It infests buildings, destroys crops and is a pest in cities and agriculture.
