By: Bastiaan M. Drees
Students and hobbyists constructing this fire ant model will learn about ant identification and some of the identifying (taxonomic) features that allow scientists (taxonomists) to identify this species, Solenopsis invicta Buren.
Use the attached templates to trace the design onto a suitable substrate such as 1/8-inch thick, high quality plywood (available at most hobby shops). You can reduce the size of the diagrams on a copy machine in order to make smaller versions from card stock or cardboard.
Instructions
- Cut out the shapes, making the slots as wide as the material used in the construction.
- Sand the edges as necessary.
- Slide the pieces together to match the numbers associated with each slot in the diagram.
- For cardboard versions, glue the pieces together to hold the shape in place.
Taxonomic Features Used to Identify Imported Fire ants
- Petiole has two nodes.
- Eyes are usually large.
- Antennae have 10 segments with a two-segmented club (not shown on the model).
- Head has a “tooth” at the base of the head capsule (clypeus).
- Mandibles (jaws) have four “teeth” or dentations.
- First antennal segment (scale) reaches three- fourths or more between the eyes and vertex (top of the head).
Keys to identifying fire ants and other ant species are available in Texas Pest Ant Identification: An Illustrated Key to Common Pest Ants and Fire Ant Species.
References
Texas Pest Ant Identification: An Illustrated Key to Common Pest Ants and Fire Ant Species u.tamu.edu/ento-001
Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas www.extension.org/pages/11004/managing- imported-fire-ants-in-urban-areas-printable- version
Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control www.agrilifebookstore.org/product-p/e-628.htm
Fire Ant Control: The Two-Step Method and Other Approaches www.agrilifebookstore.org/product-p/ento-034. htm
Download a printer-friendly version of this publication: Imported Fire Ant Model
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