Fire Ant

Fire ants are stinging ants that build colonies and forage for a mixture of animal and plant foods. Their common name is associated with the burning sensation of a sting. Workers cooperate in nest defense, food collection and care of developing young. Some species build conspicuous soil mounds, though nest form varies with conditions. Colonies may spread into disturbed ground and human-modified habitats. Different fire ants have different native ranges, so not every species shares the same introduced distribution or ecological effects.