Winged Carpenter Ant (Elate)

Natural Habitat

Found in both forests and residential areas, typically nesting in moist or decaying wood, hollow trees, or structural timber.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they eat honeydew produced by aphids, plant juices, and other insects. They do not eat wood, but excavate it to create nests.

Behavior Patterns

Winged reproductives appear during 'nuptial flights' to mate and found new colonies. They are primarily nocturnal and follow chemical trails to food sources.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include aerating soil and assisting in the decomposition of dead wood. Risks include structural damage to homes if colonies are established in building timbers.

Identified on: 6/11/2026