About Solenopsis molesta (Say, 1836)
Solenopsis molesta is the most well-known species of Solenopsis thief ants. It gets its common name from the habit of nesting near other ant nests, where it steals food. It is also called grease ant, because it is attracted to grease. For this species, nuptial flights take place from late July through early fall. Solenopsis molesta is native to the United States, where it occurs across the eastern, western, and central regions of the country, as well as in northern Mexico. This ant can live in a very wide range of habitats, as it is able to survive in nearly any environment. It can even live inside human homes, in cracks or under floorboards. While it can build nests almost anywhere, it usually locates its nest near the nests of other ant species that it steals food from. Most often, it nests under rocks, in open exposed soil, or inside rotting logs. If it cannot find these suitable nesting spots, it will move into another ant colony. Compared to the small size of these ants, their nests are generally large, with tunnels that lead directly to other ant colonies to provide a consistent, reliable source of food.
