Solenopsis invicta
fire ant
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*Solenopsis invicta* is an ant from the Myrmicinae subfamily widely recognized as an invasive species with high economic, health and ecological impact. It has a high capacity for dispersal, colonization and competitive dominance in anthropic environments.
Systematics
Classification
Scientific sources
Scientific data
Information imported from trusted external sources. Read-only, updated by the origin.
South American Fire Ant
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Solenopsis
About the species
species of ant
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Occurrences (GBIF) 42 countries · 28572 records GBIF · updated on 14/09/2026 Maximize Minimize
View data as table
| Year | Records |
|---|---|
| 1904 | 1 |
| 1908 | 2 |
| 1920 | 2 |
| 1947 | 1 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1958 | 212 |
| 1959 | 67 |
| 1960 | 12 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1966 | 3 |
| 1967 | 1 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1971 | 19 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1978 | 40 |
| 1979 | 31 |
| 1980 | 15 |
| 1981 | 36 |
| 1982 | 153 |
| 1983 | 36 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1985 | 136 |
| 1986 | 39 |
| 1987 | 101 |
| 1988 | 54 |
| 1989 | 557 |
| 1990 | 232 |
| 1991 | 805 |
| 1992 | 549 |
| 1993 | 148 |
| 1994 | 111 |
| 1995 | 89 |
| 1996 | 953 |
| 1997 | 182 |
| 1998 | 110 |
| 1999 | 226 |
| 2000 | 64 |
| 2001 | 351 |
| 2002 | 78 |
| 2003 | 202 |
| 2004 | 100 |
| 2005 | 384 |
| 2006 | 238 |
| 2007 | 170 |
| 2008 | 217 |
| 2009 | 155 |
| 2010 | 135 |
| 2011 | 513 |
| 2012 | 205 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 231 |
| 2015 | 108 |
| 2016 | 186 |
| 2017 | 619 |
| 2018 | 632 |
| 2019 | 946 |
| 2020 | 1,429 |
| 2021 | 2,503 |
| 2022 | 2,494 |
| 2023 | 2,744 |
| 2024 | 2,733 |
| 2025 | 2,584 |
| 2026 | 2,043 |
Skogslindgatan 36A Brämhult , Brämhult, Vg, Sweden
02/07/2026 · User173770 · SLU Artdatabanken · http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · original record
WKM Ranch - Building 1, United States
29/04/2026 · Alex Wild · UTIC · http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · original record
WKM Ranch - Building 1, United States
29/04/2026 · Alex Wild · UTIC · http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · Caterina "Rina" Provost-Smith · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · pewatson · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · Grant Parton · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · Oliver g jones · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · Brittany Hamilton · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · Ysieni Martinez · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
United States
28/02/2026 · brynneeubanks · iNaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode · original record
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Public articles about this species
by juniorjrml · 02/07/2026
General View
Solenopsis invicta is an ant from the Myrmicinae subfamily widely recognized as an invasive species with high economic, health and ecological impact. It has a high capacity for dispersal, colonization and competitive dominance in anthropic environments.
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Myrmicinae
- Genus: Solenopsis
- Species: Solenopsis invicta
Morphological and Biological Diagnosis
- Polymorphic workers (different sizes in the same nest).
- Reddish-brown color with darker gastric area.
- Functional sting associated with alkaloid poison and allergenic proteins.
- Nest structures often on mounds of soil in open areas.
Ecology, Population Dynamics and Dispersal
- High ecological plasticity in pastures, urban edges, crops and gardens.
- Monogynous or polygynous colonies (depending on the population), influencing density and local expansion.
- Dispersal by nuptial flight and passive transport on the ground, seedlings, equipment and cargo.
- Aggressive competition with native fauna of ants and other invertebrates.
Professional Impact (Health, Agriculture and Environment)
- Public health: painful stings, sterile pustules and risk of anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
- Agriculture: indirect damage due to interference in field operations and impact on useful fauna.
- Infrastructure: infestations in urban, electrical and irrigation areas, with operational risk.
- Biodiversity: reduction of local diversity due to competitive exclusion.
Recommended Integrated Management
- Systematic monitoring with georeferenced mapping of outbreaks.
- Rational chemical control with registered formicide baits and application at appropriate times.
- Quarantine measures to avoid transport of contaminated soil/material.
- Integration of mechanical, sanitary management and education of field teams.
- Periodic reassessment of effectiveness for adaptive adjustment of the strategy.
Technical Observations
- Correct identification is essential to differentiate Solenopsis from other species and avoid inappropriate management.
- In occupational risk scenarios, response protocols for stinging accidents must be formalized.
Keywords
#Formicidae #Myrmicinae #SolenopsisInvicta #Invasive Species #Integrated Management
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