Red+Fire+Ant+-+Kingston

media type="youtube" key="R3Mt2E1M6dU" height="344" width="425" The red imported fire ant is a small reddish brown ant from South America. There are six known species of fire ants in the United States, three of which are found in Arizona. These three species are the southern fire ant, and two species of desert fire ant. RIFA has not established in Arizona, but is present in the bordering states of New Mexico and California. It was discovered near Yuma, Arizona but was exterminated.
 * __General Information__**

These ants are small and very aggressive. They inject a dangerous venom when they sting you. The stings result in painful, itchy, and are very apparent, and sometimes end in severe allergic reactions. Five million people are stung each year in the southeastern United States. About 25,000 of these people require medical help. When a fire ant mound is disturbed, they come up and crawl up legs or arms or there victims. The attacks are coordinated in dozens of ants. Sometimes more than a thousand can sting.

__**Scientific Name-**__ //Solenopsis invicta// Buren

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__**Description**__ They are 3 to 7 mm long in size. They are reddish brown color.
 * __Life Cycle__**

The lifespan of red fire ants workers depends on their size. Some may live 30 to 60 days, and others 60 to 90 days, and others 90 to 180 days, and queens may live two to six years. Complete lifecycle from egg to adult takes between 22 and 38 days

__**Habitat and Distribution** Where does it live?__

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Although the red imported fire ant is native to South America, it has become a pest in the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Philippines, and the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. In 2005, several ant-hills belonging to fire ants were found in northern Hong Kong. Scientists believe they arrived in Mobile, AL, around 1930 in soil that had been used for ship ballast. These aggressive ants proceeded to spread and now infest all or part of 14 Southern and Western States.====== __**Impacts**__ (1)These ants can cause serious harm to any human. A swarm of these ants can kill you. Stay far away from them when you see them. Their stings are deadly and if not death, could cause a serious itchy, and painful rash that could last up to a few weeks if not a month.



__**History**__ There were 2 species of red imported fire ants introduced top the americas back in the early 1900's.The red imported fire ant, //Solenopsis invicta// Buren, arrived in the late 1930's. The presence of these fire ants in the United States was first reported in 1929 by Loding. This species probably came to the port in soil used as ballast in cargo ships. Since it first arrived in the US, the red imported fire ant has spread quickly. By the time of the first official survey was carried out by the USDA in 1953, imported fire ants had invaded about 102 counties in 10 states. Today, the red imported fire ant has spread throughout the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico replacing the two native species and replacing the black imported fire ant. Currently, it is found only in northeast Mississippi, northwest Alabama and a few southern counties in Tennessee.

__**Control Measures**__ (1)These ants spread by means of somewhow getting transported by ships to various parts of the world. To control these ants, we need to keep them stabilized in one location so they cannot spread and cause harm. They have a lack of enemies so they can spread easily and their population can boomed tremendously. They outcompete regular fire ants.(2)

(2)Once RIFA has established in an area, the chances of eradicating it are slim and control becomes the primary means of fighting its spread. It is vital that we prevent the spread of this species. RIFA very easily travel in potted plants and soil and in our vehicles. If RIFA is detected, citizens should contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture for confirmation and eradication. Eradication methods are complex due to the life cycle of the species and should be conducted by trained individuals.

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/rifa.shtml (1) http://desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_fireant.htm (2)__**
 * __Sources