The white or clear forms that are found in fire ant colonies are developing immature stages. These stages are moved by workers up or down in the mound, depending on the external temperature and moisture conditions. This means that they cannot maintain their body temperatures by internal mechanisms the way warm-blooded animals can. Their body temperatures and functions depend on the outside temperature. A fire ant worker lives an average of 1 to 6 months, depending on its size.
Larger workers live longer than smaller ones.
Unmated winged males and females may be found in colonies during warmer months. Fire ant winged reproductive females and males fly and mate, and new colonies are established during warmer months. Males die soon after mating. Those queens that survive dig chambers into which a few eggs are laid. These first eggs hatch and mature into workers that care for the queen and the next broods of workers.