Solenopsis saevissima Scorecard

Common Name:  red imported fire ant

Scorecard created on
Last Updated on

Results

Impact Total:21 / 35Impact = ( Spread + Damage - Benefit )

Ability to Respond Total:15 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )

Confidence:Medium

Confidence Notes:

Impact

SpreadNotesScore
Spread RateQueens fly, ants may be transported in vegetation or soil, or they may hitchhike on just about anything.5
Spread AmountFound in grasslands and forest openings, likes disturbed sites, natural (riverbanks, animal trails) or man-made. Found in tropical to warm temperate lowland S. America. Rapid colonizer of disturbed areas.4
DamageNotesScore
EcologicalCapable of displacing native ant species, a potential threat to birds and small mammals.2
AgriculturalTends honeydew producing insects (i.e., aphids), Impacts to farm workers and poultry. Costly treatments to containerized nursery stock to allow movement from infested areas.4
Infrastructure2
CulturalNegative effects on gardening and recreational use of infested areas.2
HealthInflicts painful sting, in some cases anaphalaxis may occur.2
BenefitNotesScore
Ecological0
Agricultural0
Infrastructure0
Cultural0
Health0
Total21

Ability to Respond

Ease of ResponseNotesScore
DetectionDetection must be made visually, ie. Noticing the presence of ants or ant hills that appear different than what is normally present. Detection may also be made physically (ie. Getting stung).2
ControlQueen unaffected by poison baits (fed by workers), infestations may be massive, chemical treatment may exacerbate problem (injury to competing ant species). Injecting individual mounds is costly and time-consuming. Some predators/enemies in S. America.3
Tools in PlaceNotesScore
EntryA-rated pest from CDFA.5
ControlA-rated pest from CDFA.5
OutreachNone.0
Total15