Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is an insect pest of agricultural commodities. It is a native of South America and was first detected in Alabama in the 1930's.
A human health hazard due to its aggressive behavior and painful sting,they are also considered a pest because their mound-building activity can damage plant roots, lead to loss of crops, and interfere with mechanical cultivation. It is not uncommon for several fire ant mounds to appear suddenly in a suburban yard or a farmer's field, seemingly overnight
For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.