Solenopsis invicta, commonly known as red imported fire ants or RIFA, have worked their way into the hearts of many a southerner, and I make this declaration with the utmost amount of sarcasm possible.
The species is native to many parts of South America and made its' way into the United States by cargo ships in the early part of the last century. The first landfall on this continent is thought to have been Mobile, Alabama and the current population is thought to have originated from nine distinct queens.
The most prominent attribute to this species is the defense mechanism that we all seem to abhor. Upon disturbing their (up to two foot tall) mounds, a swarm of ants protrudes, biting anything in their path. These swarms have been known to kill other insects and small animals. The pain and itchiness that ensues among humans is nearly unbearable, developing a small pimple like capsule at the location of the bite.
Another attribute associated with Solenopsis invicta is its' potential to demolish plant life for consumption and clearing for mound construction. Although some methods of planting and harvesting crops have been altered to prevent the ants from destroying food crops, they continue to be a hindrance to establishing a beautiful lawn here in the Sunshine State.
The final negative attribute associated with this pest is one that I was previously unaware of. They affect the growth of several species of cultivated birds (or poultry as we like to call them) because the bites in the esophagus prevent the birds, or at a minimum hinder their ability, to consume more food. The birds typically have to wait until the bites heal to return to normal consumption levels, often cycling through the process by eating more of the ants.
The major problem involved with these pests is that they are removed from their natural habitat of South America where they have natural predators such as Pseudacteon tricuspis, a species of fruit fly that inserts eggs into the thorax of the ants and eventually dissolves the tissue inside and around the hosts' head. These fruit flies have been introduced into North America by several universities and have proven to be an effective means of control. Finally, I'll leave you with a scene that regrettably most of us North Floridians are all too familiar with.
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