Of the Solenopsis genus Solenopsis molesta is one of the smallest at 2 mm long. Like many small ants including some species of Monomorium and of course one of the tiniest of ants Oligomyrmex, these ants are considered by many experts to be thief ants even as they are not any more "thiefing" than any other ants. They got a bad rap just on account of their being so tiny.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Workers of Solenopsis molesta.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoide
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Solenopsis
Species: molesta
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.
You're in the right genus and group (thief ants) but I don't think this is Solenopsis molesta. Their queens are usually redish-orange like the workers but have darker patches on their head, mesosoma, and gaster.
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You are fright in that, especially since Solenopsis molesta is not native to this part. But some mislabeling has identified this as such.
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