Carpenter ant
Description
Large, black wood-nesting ant of the genus Camponotus that is native to North America. Carpenter ants hollow out nest areas in old logs, dead trees, and wooden structures. These black ants are about 1 cm in length. They prefer to nest in moist areas and can severly damage any type of wood. Their frass looks like coarse sawdust and often contans dead ants and insect parts. Their bites can be painful when formic acid is injected. The two most common carpenter ant species are:
- Camponotus pennsylvanicus: Eastern US, black with yellowish hairs
- Camponotus modoc: Western US, black with reddish legs
Synonyms and Related Terms
carpenter ants (pl.); Camponotus spp.;
Other Properties
Workers: 3.5-13 mm; may emit strong formic acid odor
Queens: 13-17 mm
Color: most commonly black but may be combinations of red, brown, and black
Antenna: 12-segmented, no club
Thorax: no spines
Additional Information
Eric H. Smith, Richard C. Whitman, NPMA Field Guide to Sturctural Pests, National Pest Management Association, Fairfax VA, 2005.
Additional Images
Carpenter ant
Carpenter ant
Authority
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "ant." Encyclopdia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopdia Britannica Premium Service 3 Feb. 2005 .
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_ant