Fire Ants:

I`m not keeping them, but has anyone studied fire ants? We have a big problem in the south with this species and have other species. Plenty of stuff to read, but I need to take close up photographs of these other ones in the trees.
insect rod

I think the species you are referring to might be specifically selenopsis invicta? I live too far north to have that fire ants species. However we do have myrmica species.

Most of my time with fire ants was trying to get rid of them, but i`m not sure about the ones in the rotten wood.
I will try to take a few photo`s over the next day or so. If I remember correctly certain insects and larvae can live in harmony with ants, but I don`t think they can with fire ants.
They continue to be a big problem causing lots of damage for years. They are on the move again the last few days with temps around 80 degrees f.
insect rod

Insect rod is definetly talking about invicta. i don't think myrmica rubra goes down to georgia

That is correct, I am mostly speaking about Solenopsis invicta, an imported fire ant from way back. Strangely enough we have a fire ant festival up in Ashburn Georgia towards the end of March, I have never been to it, but would be an hour drive.
My interest in all of this other than the devastation the fire ant causes is how the bess beetle/ larvae survives on my property (good luck) and why Dynastes tityus hasn`t been seen for a very long time by me or anyone in my area that I asked. Both beetles eat dead oak wood and other substrate which are plentiful, and both are native species.
So the purpose in this is to hopefully introduce D tityus back on our farm at some point in time.
insect rod

This is one of our local fire ants of a few species. I`m not sure if this is the imported fire ant invicta or from the other Solenopsis genus, which a couple species are native fire ants to this area.
Not the best picture but usable to some degree.
insect rod

I am pretty sure, thats the red imported fire ant.

I'll say Solenopsis invicta although Solenopsis xyloni is still a possibility

Looks like S. invicta would be correct, no doubt they are a lot more hostile than the native species.
insect rod

You could start pouring liquid lead metal down the holes and making art. If you really wanted to get into it, collect the queen(s) and study them. Building a DIY formicarium is always fun and very rewarding.

Well I think I will stay with the insect I like better, no way to get rid of the imported fire ants, just try to control them as much as you can.
Not really sure what your making art comment is about.
insect rod

It's about this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGJ2jMZ-gaI