Solenopsis molesta

This is a common, widely distributed species. Nests are found in the soil (often under stones) and often adjacent to the nests of other species, where it steals food or brood from its host. Reproductives and brood are present throughout the summer. This is also a household pest, although it may not be noticed due to its small size. It hollows out seeds, thus destroying seed in beds. Colonies contain up to a few thousand workers. Sexuals are found in nests from July to October. Nuptial flights occur from late July to early fall, individuals mate in the air. These ants are predaceous, but are also omnivorous (feeding on seeds) and eat dead insects. They also tend Homoptera. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
Small ants, typically clear yellow with small punctures on the dorsum of the head that are only slightly larger in diameter than the hairs that arise from them. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
A wide range that includes southern areas of Canada, most of the continental US and northern Mexico.

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

Biology
Solenopsis molesta has been collected in the nests of ''Myrmica americana, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, Po. montanus, Messor lobognathus, Monomorium minimum, Pheidole bicarinata, Ph. pilifera, Dorymyrmex insanus, Camponotus vicinus, Lasius crypticus, L. neoniger, L. sitiens, L. umbratus, Acanthomyops claviger, A. interjectus, A. murphyi, Formica argentea, F. neogagates, F. limata, F. rubicunda, F. bradleyi, F. altipetens, and F. fusca''. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Nomenclature

 * minuta. Myrmica minuta Say, 1836: 294 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of molesta: Emery, 1895c: 277.
 *  molesta. Myrmica molesta Say, 1836: 293 (q.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955c: 134 (l.); Petralia & Vinson, 1980: 383 (l.); Crozier, 1970: 116 (k.). Combination in Solenopsis: Mayr, 1863: 407; in S. (Diplorhoptrum): Creighton, 1950a: 237. Senior synonym of debilis, exigua, minuta: Emery, 1895c: 277; Emery, 1896g: 85; of validiuscula: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1387.
 * exigua. Myrmica (Tetramorium) exigua Buckley, 1867: 342 (w.q.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of molesta: Emery, 1895c: 277. See also: Wheeler, W.M. 1902f: 28.
 * debilis. Solenopsis debilis Mayr, 1886d: 461 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of molesta: Emery, 1895c: 277; Emery, 1896g: 85.
 * validiuscula. Solenopsis molesta var. validiuscula Emery, 1895c: 278 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955c: 135 (l.). Subspecies of molesta: Creighton, 1950a: 237. Junior synonym of molesta: Smith, D.R. 1979: 1387.