fire ant
Tropical mound-builder
Fire ants are stinging ants known for their aggressive behavior and painful, burning sting—hence the name.
They build large mound nests and swarm when disturbed, delivering multiple stings that leave raised welts.
Several species exist, but the term usually refers to the red imported fire ant, an invasive pest in the southern United States: The yard was infested with fire ants.
Heaped earth formation
- queenMost powerful chess piece
- workerPerson who toils
- soldierArmed forces member
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
pupae · brood · swarm · caste · superorganism · pheromones · tunnel · underground
Injected animal poison
- pustulePus-filled skin lesion
- weltRaised skin injury
- burningCombustion in progress
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
redness · itching · inflammation · allergic reaction · anaphylaxis · histamine · antihistamine · epinephrine
Made formally acquainted
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- spreadTo distribute widely
- infestationPest takeover situation
- displacementRemoval from usual location
quarantine · eradication · control · South America · Texas · Australia · naturalization · establishment
Pest takeover situation
- exterminationComplete destruction of a group
- baitLure for prey
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
control · eradication · crop loss · electrical equipment · livestock · wildlife · nuisance · lawn damage
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- mandibleLower facial bone
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- six-leggedHaving half-dozen appendages
metamorphosis · entomology · invertebrate · omnivore · polymorphic · stinger · abdomen · thorax
mound
Heaped earth formation
larvae · pupae · brood · swarm · caste · superorganism · pheromones · tunnel · underground · chamber
venom
Injected animal poison
swelling · redness · itching · inflammation · allergic reaction · anaphylaxis · histamine · antihistamine · epinephrine · hydrocortisone
introduced
Made formally acquainted
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- spreadTo distribute widely
- infestationPest takeover situation
displacement · quarantine · eradication · control · South America · Texas · Australia · naturalization · establishment · cargo
infestation
Pest takeover situation
- exterminationComplete destruction of a group
- baitLure for prey
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
fumigation · control · eradication · crop loss · electrical equipment · livestock · wildlife · nuisance · lawn damage
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- mandibleLower facial bone
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
six-legged · metamorphosis · entomology · invertebrate · omnivore · polymorphic · stinger · abdomen · thorax · compound eyes
- antsFormica
- Stinging Insectsbee, wasp, hornet, bumblebee, honeybee
- tiny insectsflea, gnat, mite, louse, aphid
- Texas Wildlifearmadillo, roadrunner, horned lizard, javelina, longhorn
- Invasive Pestsemerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, Asian giant hornet, gypsy moth, Japanese beetle
- invasive speciesinvasive species, lionfish, emerald ash borer, noxious weeds, kudzu