Red Imported Fire Ant

Often found in open, sunny areas like pastures, lawns, parks, roadsides, and agricultural fields. They build characteristic dome-shaped mounds in the soil.

Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, young plants, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. They also consume honeydew produced by aphids.

Colonies can range from a few hundred to several thousand individuals. They are highly organized, with queens, workers, and males. Foraging is done individually or in small groups. They are known for their painful sting.

Risks include painful, irritating stings that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, economic damage to agriculture by feeding on crops, and damage to electrical equipment. Benefits include preying on some pest insects, but their negative impacts generally outweigh the benefits.