Solenopsis amblychila

This species nests in the soil, often under stones or wood, and together with Camponotus festinatus. Reproductives were collected in a nest in April (Mackay and Mackay 2002).

Identification
A member of the Solenopsis geminata species-group.

Distribution
Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico, western Texas and the northern states of Mexico.

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

Biology
These ants are usually found in well-watered lawns in urban habitats, or in riparian areas in arid regions, although they may be found in dry habitats. They are often found at higher elevations (1,500 - 2,500 m) than Solenopsis aurea. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

A new queen with accepted host workers and brood.

Nomenclature

 * . Solenopsis aurea subsp. amblychila Wheeler, W.M. 1915b: 394 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. (Arizona), MEXICO (Guadalahara).
 * Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queens, syntype males (numbers not stated, “many specimens”).
 * Type-locality: U.S.A.: Arizona, Huachuca Mts (by restriction of Creighton, 1950a: 230), Huachuca Mts, Ramsay Cañon 6000 ft, Hunter’s Cañon 5500 ft, Carr Cañon 6000 ft, Miller Cañon 5000-5400 ft (W.M. Wheeler).
 * [Note: other original syntype locality: Mexico: Guadalahara (J.F. McClendon).]
 * Type-depositories: LACM, MCZC.
 * Subspecies of xyloni: Creighton, 1930b: 104; Cole, 1937a: 99 (bottom of page); Smith, M.R. 1951a: 812.
 * Subspecies of aurea: Emery, 1922e: 196; Cole, 1937a: 99 (top of page); Creighton, 1950a: 230; Smith, M.R. 1958c: 129; Ettershank, 1966: 139.
 * Junior synonym of aurea: Snelling, R.R. 1963: 7; Smith, M.R. 1967: 357; Kempf, 1972a: 233; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1385; Snelling, R.R. & George, 1979:133; Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1986g: 13.
 * Status as species: Trager, 1991: 168 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 386; Ward, 2005: 67.
 * Distribution: Mexico, U.S.A.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chialvo P., D. A. Gotzek, D. Shoemaker, and K. G. Ross. 2018. Genetic analyses reveal cryptic diversity in the native North American fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis). Systematic Entomology 43: 109–122.
 * Cover S. P., and R. A. Johnson. 20011. Checklist of Arizona Ants. Downloaded on January 7th at http://www.asu.edu/clas/sirgtools/AZants-2011%20updatev2.pdf
 * Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
 * Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
 * Johnson R. Personnal Database. Accessed on February 5th 2014 at http://www.asu.edu/clas/sirgtools/resources.htm
 * Johnson, R.A. and P.S. Ward. 2002. Biogeography and endemism of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Baja California, Mexico: a first overview. Journal of Biogeography 29:10091026/
 * LeBrun E. G., R. M. Plowes, and L. E. Gilbert. 2015. Imported fire ants near the edge of their range: disturbance and moisture determine prevalence and impact of an invasive social insect. Journal of Animal Ecology,81: 884–895.
 * Mackay W. P., and E. E. Mackay. 2002. The ants of New Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 400 pp.
 * O'Keefe S. T., J. L. Cook, T. Dudek, D. F. Wunneburger, M. D. Guzman, R. N. Coulson, and S. B. Vinson. 2000. The Distribution of Texas Ants. The Southwestern Entomologist 22: 1-92.
 * Trager J. C. 1991. A revision of the fire ants, Solenopsis geminata group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Journal of the New York Entomological Society 99: 141-198
 * Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
 * Ward P. S. 2005. A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 936: 1-68.