3 replies to this topic

[Appo]

Found in Jacksonville on the 8th of December on grounds of Jacksonville Zoo, which is quite interesting because the Zoo grounds are dominated by Raspberry Crazy ants. She's between 6-7mm, found on the ground with wings on and later she detached them. My guess is Solenopsis xyloni

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Edited by Appo, December 10 2021 - 1:54 AM.

[CheetoLord02]

Solenopsis invicta, probably the most common invasive species in FL. Unfortunately S. xyloni was wiped out by invicta several decades ago, and no longer has any known populations in the southeast US.

[Manitobant]

I agree with solenopsis invicta. One thing that’s interesting about invicta and other fire ants is that they are simultaneously both extremely easy and extremely hard to keep. On one hand, they are one of the easiest ants to keep due to eating pretty much everything, tolerating any kind of nest and being very forgiving to mistakes, able to bounce back from pretty much anything. On the other hand, they can be very challenging to keep due to growing extremely fast, being master escape artists and having painful stings.

[ANTdrew]

I agree with solenopsis invicta. One thing that’s interesting about invicta and other fire ants is that they are simultaneously both extremely easy and extremely hard to keep. On one hand, they are one of the easiest ants to keep due to eating pretty much everything, tolerating any kind of nest and being very forgiving to mistakes, able to bounce back from pretty much anything. On the other hand, they can be very challenging to keep due to growing extremely fast, being master escape artists and having painful stings.

I’d only consider them easy if you keep them on a starvation diet and suboptimal temps.