The common name “fire ant” stems from two important details about the insect. First, their colouring is red, giving them a fire-like exterior. Secondly, these bugs inflict a painful, burning bite on their victims.

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Fire ants are very grumpy – they will pretty much attack anything that they feel is intruding on their colony. This species of ant are omnivores, meaning they eat everything and anything. They sustain themselves mostly on plants and seeds but are not opposed to gorging on insect flesh!

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In some cases, fire ants have attacked specific bugs to extinction. They’ve been known to target a specific bee species, enter its hive, and consume the hive’s food source, ensuring the bees ultimately starve.

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Fire ant colonies have many clear members: queen, males, soldiers, and workers. 

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