Black Imported Fire Ant vs Orange Sulphur

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Imported Fire Ant Orange Sulphur
Scientific Name Solenopsis richteri Colias eurytheme
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Pieridae
Size 2-6 mm 35-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South America, Southeastern United States North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Black Imported Fire Ant

A dark-colored fire ant native to South America that has established populations in the southeastern United States. They build large earthen mounds in open areas.

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Did You Know?

They frequently hybridize with the red imported fire ant in overlapping ranges, producing hybrid populations.

Orange Sulphur

Orange-yellow butterfly with black wing borders and a pink-rimmed silver spot on the hindwing underside. Often hybridizes with Clouded Sulphur.

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Did You Know?

It became vastly more abundant after European settlers introduced alfalfa farming across North America.