Solenopsis aurea

This species is found mainly in desert and dry grassland regions across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico (Trager, 1991). Colonies are often found under stones (or other objects, such as pieces of wood or cow manure) in loam or coarse gravely soils or in soil surrounded by a small mound. Dealate females have been collected in July and August (Mackay and Mackay 2002). In Nevada Cole (1966) found colonies to be small and few.

Identification
A member of the Solenopsis geminata species-group.

Workers lighter in color with a light colored gaster, often with brown patches. The eyes are small (about 50 ommatidia in the major, 20 in the minor), being separated from the insertion of the mandibles by about twice the maximum diameter of the eyes. The majors have lateral teeth on the clypeus. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
United States: California east to Texas. Mexico: Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Zacatecas.

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

Habitat
Chihuahuan Desert in a variety of habitats (black grama grassland, creosotebush scrub, mesquite and thorn scrub), as well as in urban habitats. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Nomenclature

 *  aurea. Solenopsis geminata var. aurea Wheeler, W.M. 1906d: 336 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Crozier, 1970: 116 (k.). Raised to species: Forel, 1909a: 269. Subspecies of xyloni: Creighton, 1930b: 103. Revived status as species: Creighton, 1950a: 230; Snelling, R.R. 1963: 6. Senior synonym of huachucana: Trager, 1991: 170.
 * huachucana. Solenopsis huachucana Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 393 (w.q.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of aurea: Trager, 1991: 170.