What are Red Fire Ants?

About Red Fire Ants:

• Red imported fire ants, commonly known as fire ants, are a species of stinging ants native to South America.
• Scientific Name: Solenopsis invicta
• They are known for their aggressive behavior, painful stings, and large colony sizes. The ant can also damage crops and local ecosystems.
• Features:
  • They are reddish-brown to reddish-black in color, with a characteristic coppery head.
  • They are small ants, typically ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3-6 mm) in length.
  • Their bodies are segmented, with a distinct two-part thorax.
  • Stinging Behavior: They are infamous for their painful stings. They have a potent venomous sting that can cause intense burning and itching sensations in humans.
  • Colony Structure:
    • Fire ant colonies are organized and highly structured. They consist of thousands to hundreds of thousands of ants and multiple queens.
    • Unlike many ant species that have a single queen, fire ant colonies are polygynous, meaning they have multiple reproductive queens.

Q1) What is an invasive species?

An invasive species, often referred to as an invasive alien species or invasive exotic species, is a non-native organism (plant, animal, fungus, or microbe) that is introduced to a new environment, ecosystem, or habitat, where it spreads rapidly and causes harm to the local environment, economy, or human health. Invasive species are a significant ecological and economic concern worldwide because they can disrupt native ecosystems, displace native species, and lead to environmental degradation.

Source: ‘We knew this day would come’: One of world’s most invasive species reaches Europe