Imported Fire Ants in Tennessee

Three Types of Imported Fire Ants

The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, the black imported fire ant (BIFA), Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrid (HIFA) all share common characteristics such as a ten-segmented antenna with a two-segmented club, and a two-segmented waist.

Ten-segmented antenna with two-segmented antennal club	Two-segmented waist
Images by A. Toennisson

Black IFA Gaster	Hybrid IFA Gaster	Red IFA Gaster

The red has a dark gaster and the rest of its body is a lighter red. The black is darker at the end and has golden patch at the top of the gaster defined by distinct dark outlines. For the hybrid, the light patch on the gaster still exists, but the lines defining it are hazy and indistinct.

The first worker ants produced in a colony are small and are called minims. As the colony grows larger workers are produced, resulting in small (minor), medium (media), and large (major) workers.

Fire Ant Look Alikes

Properly identifying the ant species is the first step in determining the need for control. Most homeowners recognize imported fire ants by the mounds they build, or the sting the ants inflict. However, there are other characteristics to look for. Their aggressive nature relative to other ant species is one such trait. Generally, hundreds of fire ant workers will swarm out of the ant mound when disturbed, and run up vertical surfaces to sting. If you are unsure of the ant species you have, contact your county Extension office for assistance with proper identification.

		Little black ants*
		Forelius ants*
		Argentine ants
		Crazy ants
		Big-headed ants*
		Imported fire ants

Little black ants attacking fire ant queen	Little black ant nest
Forelius ant nest

How Can You Tell If You Have Fire Ants?