Solenopsis xyloni

This species nests in open areas in soil or under stones, it may build unsightly nests of loose soil on lawns. Reproductives are found in the nest throughout the year, nuptial flights occur from May through September. Flights occur in the afternoon and are usually announced by large numbers of very aggressive ants milling around the nest entrance. These ants are aggressive with a painful sting, although not nearly as aggressive as the introduced red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. The derive the name “native fire ant” from their sting. It causes considerable damage to seed banks, kills newly hatched birds, girdles agricultural plants, attacks agricultural products, attacks electrical equipment, and is a serious, stinging kitchen pest. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
These ants are often concolorous dark in color, although they are also bicolored with a red head and mesosoma, and a black gaster. The gaster rarely has any light brown areas.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.



Nomenclature

 *  xyloni. Solenopsis xyloni McCook, 1879: 188, figs. 37, 38 (s.w.q.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 396 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955c: 133 (l.); Taber & Cokendolpher, 1988: 95 (k.). Junior synonym of geminata: Mayr, 1886d: 460; Dalla Torre, 1893: 76. Revived from synonymy as subspecies of geminata: Wheeler, W.M. 1910g: 563; Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 395. Revived status as species: Creighton, 1930b: 98; Creighton, 1950a: 232; Snelling, R.R. 1963: 9. Senior synonym of maniosa, pylades: Trager, 1991: 166.
 * pylades. Solenopsis geminata r. pylades Forel, 1904d: 172 (q.) MEXICO. Forel, 1909a: 267 (w.); Forel, 1911c: 297 (m.); Bruch, 1916: 315 (m.). Raised to species: Forel, 1909a: 267; Bruch, 1914: 223; Forel, 1916: 459. Subspecies of saevissima: Santschi, 1923c: 267. Junior synonym of geminata: Emery, 1922e: 198; of saevissima: Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 395; Wheeler, W.M. 1916g: 143; Wheeler, W.M. 1919c: 272; Creighton, 1930b: 70; of xyloni: Trager, 1991: 166.
 * maniosa. Solenopsis geminata subsp. maniosa Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 396 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Subspecies of xyloni: Creighton, 1930b: 102. Junior synonym of xyloni: Creighton, 1950a: 232. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1986g: 13. Junior synonym of xyloni: Trager, 1991: 166.