The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta;1 Distribution and Habitat in Mato Grosso, Brazil2

A 17-day trip was made through the States of Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso, Rondania Territory, Goias, and Minas Gerais, Brazil, to study the Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) complex. Special emphasis was on the distribution and ecology of Solenopsis invicta Buren. S. invicta was established in an area bordered by Caceres, Rondonopolis, Chapada, and Terenos in the State of Mato Grosso, and was also found at Porto Velho, Rondonia Territory. Active colonies were present only in moist or protected areas. This study reconfirmed a previous postulation that areas of Mato Grosso were a part of the homeland of S. invicta , the “red imported fire ant” of southeastern United States.