Photo by W. Sterling. Photo by Drees. Disturbance of mounds results in a rapid defensive response by worker ants, which quickly run up vertical surfaces. Eggs hatch in eight to 10 days and larvae develop through four instars before pupating. Development requires 22 to 37 days, depending on temperature.
Fire ants are social insects, and each colony contains one or more queen ants.
Queen ants can produce about 200 eggs per day. These ants stay in the colony until conditions exist for their nuptial flight. Mouthparts are for chewing and sipping. Only the last larval stage can inject solid food particles. Sieve plates in the mouths of worker ants prevent ingestion of food particles.