Why are imported fire ants such a pest, while the native Texas fire ants are not?
Both biological wisdom and recent research indicate that fire ants, like other opportunistic organisms, become more “weedlike” and achieve pest status when introduced into regions free of their natural biological enemies, such as parasites and pathogens. A case in point is the fire ant species native to Texas. Our native fire ant species is a is a minor nuisance at home, but a major pest in India where it was inadvertently introduced. Likewise, the pest fire ant from Brazil is “just another ant” there and not a serious pest. Still, the Brazilian name for the ant, “lava pé” (translated “wash feet”) reflects its status as a nuisance to those not watching where they stand.
