Identity crisis? News reports on invasive species feature misleading images of unrelated organisms

In mainstream media, news outlets play a vital role in raising awareness and rallying public support for managing invasive species. However, news reports on invasive species occasionally feature misleading images of unrelated organisms. In this correspondence, I illustrate the problem with recent international news reports on invasions by Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) in Asia, Australia and Europe. I discuss the serious implications of such misrepresentation for public understanding and support for invasive species management. I highlight ways ecologists can engage effectively with journalists to mitigate the spread of taxonomic misinformation in mainstream media.