Thief ant (but one of several)
Solenopsis texana
This record describes Solenopsis texana (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Separated from the very similar and as also common S. molesta by the very short antennal segments 3-7.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Solenopsidini
- Genus
- Solenopsis (Fire Ants and Thief Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grasslands, fields and open woodlands, often those that are more "natural" or not recently disturbed. Nests in soil.
Geographic Range
Across the southern half of the US into Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Soft-bodied soil arthropods, perhaps especially those robbed from nests of larger ants, including brood of the latter.
Life History
Mating flights are in late summer. Queens may rear the first workers independently, but it may in fact be that they are more successful at (re-)joining an established colony, resulting in the common condition of multiple queens per nest.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Solenopsis = tube face, in reference to the elongate, nearly cylindrical head shape of a few species in the group. And texana = from Texas, which greatly understates the distribution of this ant
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Solenopsis texana. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Thief ant (but one of several) (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Thief ant (but one of several)
What is Thief ant (but one of several)?
Thief ant (but one of several) (Solenopsis texana) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Thief ant (but one of several)?
Workers about 1.5 mm. Queens 3.5 mm or a bit larger when at peak egg production.
How do you identify Thief ant (but one of several)?
Separated from the very similar and as also common S. molesta by the very short antennal segments 3-7.
Where is Thief ant (but one of several) found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grasslands, fields and open woodlands, often those that are more natural or not recently disturbed. Nests in soil. |
| Range | Across the southern half of the US into Mexico. |
What does Thief ant (but one of several) eat?
The diet of the Thief ant (but one of several) includes Soft-bodied soil arthropods, perhaps especially those robbed from nests of larger ants, including brood of the latter..
What is the life cycle of a Thief ant (but one of several)?
Mating flights are in late summer. Queens may rear the first workers independently, but it may in fact be that they are more successful at (re-)joining an established colony, resulting in the common condition of multiple queens per nest.