Fire ant
A stinging ant, usually in the genus Solenopsis, whose venom causes a burning sensation and can trigger severe allergic reactions.
Solenopsin: A family of alkaloid compounds that forms the main toxic component of fire ant venom. These venom alkaloids cause much of the burning pain and tissue reaction after a sting.
Red imported fire ant: Solenopsis invicta, a South American fire ant established as an invasive pest in several regions. This species accounts for many medically significant fire-ant encounters outside its native range.
Fire ant allergy: An immune sensitivity to fire-ant venom that can cause local or systemic reactions after a sting. Recognizing this allergy identifies people at risk of severe reactions to subsequent stings.
Solenopsis: A genus of ants that includes fire ants and many small thief ants. Most ants called fire ants belong to this genus, though the common name is not taxonomically exclusive.
Ant sting: A puncture or wound produced when an ant uses its stinger to inject venom. Fire ants attack by stinging repeatedly, often anchoring themselves before injecting venom.
Black imported fire ant: Solenopsis richteri, a South American fire ant introduced to the southeastern United States. It is a close relative of the red imported fire ant and forms hybrid populations with it.
Venom immunotherapy: A treatment that reduces allergic reactions by administering gradually increasing doses of venom. It can prevent systemic reactions in people with confirmed fire-ant venom allergy.
Myrmicinae: A large subfamily of ants that includes fire ants, harvester ants, and leafcutter ants. Fire ants belong to this ant subfamily, whose members often have a two-segmented waist.
Anaphylaxis: A rapid, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction affecting multiple body systems. A small fraction of fire-ant stings trigger this emergency through venom allergy.
Tawny crazy ant: An invasive ant, Nylanderia fulva, that can displace other ants and damage electrical equipment. It competes with imported fire ants and can suppress them in invaded areas.