Bug FAQBlack Imported Fire Ant
Solenopsis richteri · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
Source: Wikipedia
The black imported fire ant (BIFA) is a distinct species in the fire-ant genus Solenopsis. All BIFA stings leave a sterile pustule, and their venom can cause a more pronounced wheal and flare than related species.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
BIFA belongs to the genus Solenopsis, which includes fire ants.
Source: Wikipedia
Can it bite, sting or make you sick?
Every BIFA sting produces a sterile pustule that helps identify it. BIFA venom may cause a larger wheal and flare than that of the red imported fire ant.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
BIFA can tolerate colder temperatures better than the red imported fire ant. It is less dominant than the red imported fire ant where they coexist.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species originates from South America. It has been introduced to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
BIFA was once thought to be a subspecies or color form of the red imported fire ant but is now recognized as a separate species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 8 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: introduced in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Do black imported fire ants sting?
Yes, their stings always leave a sterile pustule and can cause a pronounced wheal and flare.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell black imported fire ants apart from red imported fire ants?
BIFA is now recognized as a separate species rather than a color variation of the red imported fire ant.
Source: Wikipedia
Where did black imported fire ants come from?
They are native to South America and have been introduced to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Formicidae)
Eastern Black Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicusCan bite
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan sting
American Winter AntPrenolepis imparis
Argentine AntLinepithema humileNuisance, not dangerous
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan sting
Odorous House AntTapinoma sessileCan damage your homeSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_imported_fire_ant
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.