Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Table of Contents

Common Name: Carpenter Ant

Scientific Classification


Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Genus: Camponotus
Species: Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated [NE] | (IUCN 3.1)

Identifying Features

Carpenter ants are 1/2" long and black in color. They are slightly hairy and have elbowed antennae. Some males and queen ants will have wings. Their hindwings are shorther than the forewings.

Habitat & Range

Carpenter ants live across the US, primarily in standing dead trees of forests.

Behavior

They feed on insects and sugar. Although they will excavate wood they do not eat it.

Life Cycle

Females will lay eggs in the spring that will become workers, and lay eggs in the fall that will reproduce themselves. Females that mate will find a new site to start their own colonies.

Featured image by Tim Gage