First Report of Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta, S. richteri, and S. invicta X richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Kentucky

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Imported fire ants, an invasive species, are reported from multiple locales in Kentucky, USA from 2014 to 2022. ABSTRACT: Since their introduction into the United States in the early 1900′s, imported fire ants, namely Solenopsis invicta Buren (Red Imported Fire Ant), S. richteri Forel (Black Imported Fire Ant), and their hybrid form Solenopsis invicta X richteri have spread throughout portions of the USA, especially in the southeastern region. Imported fire ants are a serious invasive and economically significant species in the USA and elsewhere, and their spread into new parts of the country is of great concern. Although early models predicted that the fire ants would not be able to survive very far north into the USA, these ants have nonetheless successfully continued their spread into higher latitudes. Based on Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) samples, the Mississippi Entomological Museum Invasive Insect Screening Center, at Mississippi State University, has verified the presence of imported fire ants collected in Kentucky at multiple locations from 2014 to 2022.