The Biobrio 12(1 & 2), 2025

Ecological Role, Behavioral Adaptations, and Invasive Potential of Solenopsis geminata: A Comprehensive Review

Seema Kumari & Arun Kumar

ABSTRACT:

Solenopsis geminata, the tropical fire ant, is an aggressive and ecologically significant species native to Central and South America but now widespread in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. This review synthesizes existing knowledge and presents novel insights into the species' ecological roles, behavioral adaptations, and invasive potential. Notable for its polymorphic worker caste, intricate mound-building, and aggressive foraging strategies, S. geminata demonstrates remarkable ecological plasticity, thriving in both disturbed and natural habitats. Its ability to dominate through interspecific competition, efficient foraging, and complex chemical communication underscores its invasive success. We explore its impact on plant communities through intense seed predation, its nesting behavior, and adaptive strategies such as temporal foraging patterns and flexible reproductive systems. These traits enable S. geminata to rapidly expand and alter ecosystems, often at the expense of native biodiversity. The article also highlights the importance of understanding these behavioral mechanisms in developing effective management strategies for controlling this invasive species. Insights into its ecological and behavioral flexibility provide a model for studying invasive social insects and their interactions with changing environments.

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