5 replies to this topic

[AntManiac2310]

What is the difference between the two?

[Kaelwizard]

If I remember a post correctly, xyloni queens have much wider heads, while invicta are quite narrow.

[DDD101DDD]

Depending on the region, xyloni will be darker I think. Solenopsis xyloni is also native to the US.

[CheetoLord02]

Solenopsis xyloni are part of the Solenopsis geminata species group. Invicta are part of the S. saevissima species group.

S. xyloni get smaller colonies overall, and have a slower growth rate and typically weaker sting. They tend to have much brighter colors, and they are a native species. They require lower humidity in captivity, and they tend to be at least slightly granivorous, especially in the wild. They also have a jet-black color variant that is most common in Arizona, and this variant tends to be polygynous more often than not. Being in the S. geminata species group, they tend to have wider heads in both queens and majors, as they are used to process the seeds that they harvest. They are also able to hybridize with S. geminata, but this hybrid is rare.

S. invicta, on the other hand, get very large colonies (as large as 400,000 workers) and have a relatively painful sting. Their colors tend to be more subdued than S. xyloni. They have a monogynous and a polygynous variant, but typically the monogynous variant is more widespread and better in captivity. They grow very quickly, being able to reach their maximum colony size in only 2-3 years. Being in the S. saevissima species group, they do not harvest seeds in any capacity, and are very fierce predators, with most of their diet being protein of various prey that they have killed. They are able to hybridize with Solenopsis richteri, and this hybrid is common in places like northern Alabama and Mississippi.

This is really just a few differences, as these two species being in different species groups means that they have relatively little in common. While I would recommend neither species to a beginner antkeeper, S. xyloni is far more forgiving in captivity.

[AntsDakota]

 While I would recommend neither species to a beginner antkeeper, S. xyloni is far more forgiving in captivity.

I second this. However on the other hand, Solenopsis molesta, the Thief Ant, is very easy to contain, and extremely forgiving. They may be tiny, but they're fast growing, polygynous, voracious, and have beautiful coloration, and different colored queens in some regions. I'd recommend them over any fire ant any day.

[Ants_Dakota]

and they don't need huge formicariums! they can live in tiny spaces for a while.