Pheidole megacephala: an invasive ant predator that raids colonies of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

Ants are among the most destructive and widespread invaders with astronomic economic impacts because they displace native ants and other insects, modify ecosystem functions and trophic webs, and alter nutrient cycling. Thus, they can negatively affect agriculture, cause damage to infrastructures and can have an effect on human health. Among them Solenopsis invicta, or the red imported fire ant, is responsible for most of these impacts, particularly in the southern USA. In this study, we show that another invasive ant, Pheidole megacephala, known as a predator of many insects, particularly other ants, indeed preys on some other ant species whether they are native or introduced when encountering them on foraging trails and baits. They even organize raids on colonies of other species, including those of S. invicta.