Page 34 - 8.5X11__AZ_VERSION_2_9-12-07

IMPORTED FIRE ANT IMPORTED FIRE ANT MOUND IMPORTED FIRE ANT IMPORTED FIRE ANT MOUND

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- 10 segmented 6.Thorax- uneven with valley IMPORTED FIRE ANT 1.Antenna- 10 segmented 6.Thorax- uneven with valley IMPORTED FIRE ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- 2 nodes 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- 2 nodes
3.Head- mouthpart with teeth 8.Abdomen- darker than body 6 3.Head- mouthpart with teeth 8.Abdomen- darker than body 6
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish to brown 7 8 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- reddish to brown 7 8
5.Wings- on alates 10.Other- stinger present 5.Wings- on alates 10.Other- stinger present

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Eggs develop in 7-10 days, larvae in 6-12 days, and pupa in 9-16 days. 3 Eggs develop in 7-10 days, larvae in 6-12 days, and pupa in 9-16 days. 3
The egg to adult life cycle ranges from 22-38 days, a very quickly The egg to adult life cycle ranges from 22-38 days, a very quickly
developing ant! Minor workers live from one to two months, while major developing ant! Minor workers live from one to two months, while major
workers can live up to six months. 4 workers can live up to six months. 4
Drawing by Andrew Schaible Drawing by Andrew Schaible
IMPORTED FIRE ANTS IMPORTED FIRE ANTS
Actual size 1/4” Actual size 1/4”
The Imported and Black Fire Ants are quite a problem in some areas. The workers are usually the The Imported and Black Fire Ants are quite a problem in some areas. The workers are usually the
most noticed, and are 1/4th inch in size. They can be colored from reddish to mostly black. They live most noticed, and are 1/4th inch in size. They can be colored from reddish to mostly black. They live
inside large mounds in fields, woodlands, and open space areas. Fire ants will eat insects, seeds, inside large mounds in fields, woodlands, and open space areas. Fire ants will eat insects, seeds,
fruits, meats, vegetables, flowers, and honeydew—just about anything organic can become their food. fruits, meats, vegetables, flowers, and honeydew—just about anything organic can become their food.
The colony has a prominent queen who mates and lays eggs. She alone tends the eggs and larvae of The colony has a prominent queen who mates and lays eggs. She alone tends the eggs and larvae of
the first generation, and then the first generation females will take over the care of later eggs, larvae, the first generation, and then the first generation females will take over the care of later eggs, larvae,
and even the queen. Worker females build the nest, excavating large amounts of dirt which forms the and even the queen. Worker females build the nest, excavating large amounts of dirt which forms the
mound. Occasionally a nest will be built in a rotting log or under a rock. Fire Ants can do major dam- mound. Occasionally a nest will be built in a rotting log or under a rock. Fire Ants can do major dam-
age to new crops, and also are quite capable of inflicting painful stings and bites. They are very hostile age to new crops, and also are quite capable of inflicting painful stings and bites. They are very hostile
to other ants. to other ants.

1.Antenna- 10 segmented, 2 seg. Club 6.Thorax- uneven, no spine SOUTHERN FIRE ANT 1.Antenna- 10 segmented, 2 seg. Club 6.Thorax- uneven, no spine SOUTHERN FIRE ANT
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- 2 nodes 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- 2 nodes
3.Head- mandibles with 2 teeth 8.Abdomen- darker than body 6 3.Head- mandibles with 2 teeth 8.Abdomen- darker than body 6
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- yellowish to reddish 7 8 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- yellowish to reddish 7 8
5.Wings- on alates & swarmers 10.Other- stinger present 5.Wings- on alates & swarmers 10.Other- stinger present

Life Cycle 3 Life Cycle 3
A queen can lay over 1,000 eggs in a 24-hour period, which hatch A queen can lay over 1,000 eggs in a 24-hour period, which hatch
in 2-4 weeks. During the warm summer months the egg to adult in 2-4 weeks. During the warm summer months the egg to adult
process can be as little as 44 days. 4 process can be as little as 44 days. 4
Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control Drawing Courtesy of Corky’s Pest Control
SOUTHERN FIRE ANT SOUTHERN FIRE ANT
Actual size 1/4” Actual size 1/4”
The Southern Fire Ant is generally a little smaller than the Imported Fire Ant, but can also cause signifi- The Southern Fire Ant is generally a little smaller than the Imported Fire Ant, but can also cause signifi-
cant damage and inflict a painful sting. They get their name from the “fiery” stings they can impart. They cant damage and inflict a painful sting. They get their name from the “fiery” stings they can impart. They
are colored from yellow, reddish, brown and sometimes black. They also build mounds, even on lawns, are colored from yellow, reddish, brown and sometimes black. They also build mounds, even on lawns,
but can be found in rotten wood, under concrete, and beneath houses. Foods include fatty or oily sub- but can be found in rotten wood, under concrete, and beneath houses. Foods include fatty or oily sub-
stances, and they are known to kill young or newborn birds and poultry. The Southern Fire Ant can also stances, and they are known to kill young or newborn birds and poultry. The Southern Fire Ant can also
be a problem to crops. They also can cause shorts in wiring. be a problem to crops. They also can cause shorts in wiring.

28 28