Red Fire Ant Posing a Risk to North America

When the summer weather is hot, the omnivorous Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, becomes a prevelant invasive species in mid-Atlantic states such as Maryland. Since the first detection of the insect in Maryland in 1986, it has been intercepted by aggressive surveillance and eradication efforts of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, preventing its establishment in the state. As with many invasive species, the Maryland Department of Agriculture relies on reports from residents to detect new infestations.
The fire ant originates from South America, andprobably first came to North America as an unwanted passenger on cargo ships coming into the port of Mobile, Alabama, in the late 1930’s. Since its appearance in the early 1930s, the ant has migrated in a northerly direction.At this time, 320 million acres of the southern United States are generally infested, requiring the Federal quarantine in 13 states and Puerto Rico.
The fire ant is small, but makes up for its diminutive stature with fighting habits when defending its nest and a nasty sting. Fire ants are meat eating, attacking and at times killing newborn domestic animals as well as pets and wildlife. It also feeds on buds and fruits of almost any plant.
In the 13 southern states where it is present, the ant has had a severe impact on ground nesting animals ranging from other insects to birds and mammals. In agriculture, fire ants have damaged numerous cultivated plants including corn, sorghum and soybeans.
In urban areas, infestations of the imported fire ant have an impact on outdoor activities, threatening small children, those allergic to insect venom, and the elderly. A single fire ant will sting multiple times, resulting in a painful burning sensation (thus the name ‘fire’ ant). This is then followed by the formation of white blisters or pustules. If left untreated, fire ant blisters have the potential to become infected.

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