ABSTRACT
There are 10,000 or more species of ants. Species of fire ants native to the US are local pests and may cause illness in debilitated or neonate animals. Harvester ants are pugnacious, vicious stingers and may cause mild envenomation. Fire ants are distributed throughout the neotropics. The red imported fire ant is indigenous to central Brazil, but entered the US in the 1940s and is now a serious pest throughout the southeastern states and west as far as Texas. Ants have powerful mandibles used for obtaining food. Ant venoms vary considerably from group to group. A history of ant colonies in the vicinity of the animal is necessary for diagnosis. Ants may be observed crawling on the animal by an owner or caretaker. Control measures should not be attempted without consultation with specialists in ant control. It is particularly important to eradicate ant colonies in areas where neonates are housed.
