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An outline of the life cycle of Solenopsis species 

 is as follows: mating takes place during nuptial flights, 

 after which the females (queens) return to earth, dealate, 

 and secrete themselves in a closed, subterrainian chamber. 

 During this "claustral" period, the queens, subsisting 

 on their histolyzing flight muscles and food stored in 

 their fat body and crop, lay eggs and rear their first 

 offspring. As the number of workers increases, the queen 

 stops caring for the immatures , but continues to lay eggs 

 throughout her lifespan. The workers forage for food, 

 extend and maintain the nest structure, defend the nest 

 and territory, and care for the queen and brood. A mature 

 colony may contain as many as 200,000 or more individuals. 



The developmental stages of fire ants are egg, four 

 larval instars, pupa, and adult. The development period 

 is temperature dependent, but averages about three to four 

 weeks. 



