They are found in the southern U.S. from Florida to California.
They build a mound nest on the ground or under stones or bushes.
They are reddish colored, with a darker back end (abdomen). They are covered with hairs. They have long antennae (10 segments ending in a club). They have three teeth in their jaw (mandible). They are less than a 1/4" long (less than 6mm long.)
They have a painful sting and will sting over and over again(aggressive). They drive other animals out of the area, so their nest area often seems barren.
They eat whatever they can find (scavengers). They also eat other insects.
During the summer, winged males and females leave the nest and mate. Then the females go off, dig into the ground, lay eggs and start a new colony as their queen.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae/ Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Solenopsis
Species: S. xyloni
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