Red Imported Fire Ant

Open areas with direct sunlight like lawns, pastures, and parks; often found in disturbed soil building characteristic mounds.

Omnivorous; they consume plant material, seeds, and various animals including other insects, earthworms, and small vertebrates.

Highly aggressive social insects that live in large underground colonies. They swarm and sting simultaneously when their mound is disturbed.

Significant risk to humans and pets due to painful, venomous stings that cause white pustules and potential anaphylaxis. They are also agricultural pests but can benefit ecosystems by preying on other pest insects like flea larvae and cockroaches.