Bug Identifier
Carpenter Ant (Queen/Dealata)
Community identification

Carpenter Ant (Queen/Dealata)

Camponotus species

Order & Family
Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Formicidae
Size
15mm to 20mm (Queens)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Nests in moist, decaying wood, tree hollows, or within structural lumber in human homes.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist scavengers; consume honeydew from aphids, plant juices, and other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Queens shed their wings after a nuptial flight to seek a nesting site and establish a new colony. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular.

Risks & Benefits

Potential structural pest naturally inclined to excavate wood; however, they benefit ecosystems by aiding in the decomposition of dead timber.