What are big red ants called?

Big red ants, especially endemic in Texas, are known as red harvester ants. The ants are closer to red or brown in color than are black ants. They measure about 1/2 to 1/4 inch long. Twenty-two species of red harvester ants exist.

Red harvester ants work together to source food for the colony. They usually set up circular ant farms in the midst of vegetation or lush turf. Populations of red harvester ants have declined significantly since the early 1900s. This decline creates a problem in the food chain because the ants serve as food for the Texas horned lizard, a threatened species.