When the sensation subsides after a few minutes, a dermal flare and wheal occur and papules form within two hours. The immediate reaction to the venom is an intense burning sensation which explains the common name of the ants. The reactions range from immediate localized wheal and flare responses to large, local or systemic reactions which can include anaphylaxis. The protein portion contains the allergens. It is the alkaloid part of the venom that causes a sterile pustule at the sting site and has cytotoxic and hemolytic properties. The venom is 95% water-insoluble alkaloid, with the remaining 5% being an aqueous protein solution. The venom of the fire ants is used to immobilize or kill prey for food yet has also demonstrated insecticidal, bactericidal, and fungicidal activity. It rotates its body which results in a circular pattern resulting in pain and itching at the site. As it stings, it does so at an average of 7-8 stings. It arches its body and then injects venom through the stinger located on the abdomen. When the ant stings, it does so with its mandible, which locks onto its prey. Over the next decade, the fire and Solenopsis invicta is expected to spread to California and towards the Pacific coast nearing the Canadian border.įire ants do not need to be provoked to attack, and their venom is capable of causing a painful local reaction and, in some instances, result in life-threatening anaphylaxis. The black fire ant is seen only in northern Alabama, northern Mississippi, and southern Tennessee. Worldwide locations include the Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the British and United States Virgin Islands, Antigua, and Trinidad, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and China. Red fire ants are predominately seen in 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. They were introduced into the United States at Mobile, Alabama about 40 years ago. The first is a red, imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta and the second is the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri. There are two types of fire ants which belong to the Solenopsis species. Fire ants tend to be an aggressive insect that will sting causing very painful reactions.
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