Ants
Red Ants
Solenopsis geminata
Appearance
Polymorphic. Major workers have large heads and sharp mandibles, about 7 mm, reddish-yellow with darker mandibles and gaster. Minor workers are 3–4.5 mm, pale yellow with an oval reddish-brown gaster. Two nodes.
Life span
Four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Fertilised eggs produce females; unfertilised eggs produce males. Larvae have no eyes or legs and are fed by adults, then spin a cocoon and pupate. The cycle usually lasts 6–10 weeks. Some queens live over 15 years, and some workers up to 7 years.