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Glite Dictionary
Solenopsis

Solenopsis

1 9.4
A group of small ants called fire ants that sting painfully
  • noun
  • /ˌsɒlɪˈnɒpsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Solenopsis
  • The Brazilian red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is out of control in the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico, state and federal sources say.
  • Solenopsis richteri
  • Solenopsis invicta
  • fire ants

Examples

  • The genus Solenopsis includes many species of small ants known for their painful stings.

  • The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, was accidentally introduced into the United States in 1929 from South America.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Black imported fire ants, Solenopsis richteri, introduced to the United States in 1918, are less widespread.

    Academic text (2003)

  • One common species in the Solenopsis genus is the fire ant, which is aggressive and can cause intense pain when it stings.

  • Gardeners often try to eliminate Solenopsis ants from their properties to avoid painful encounters.

Synonyms

fire ant
vsSolenopsis
  • US
8 3.6

A small reddish-brown insect that stings and causes a burning pain

is the scientific genus name for the same aggressive stinging ants

Surface Forms

Solenopsis singular
Solenopses plural

Etymology

Solenopsis comes from Greek parts solen meaning 'tube' and opsis meaning 'appearance'. So it literally means 'tube-like appearance', a handy way to remember the name because these fire ants have a small tube-shaped part on their body that helped scientists identify them.