Black Carpenter Ant (Winged Reproductive/Alate)

Found in woodlands and suburban areas, nesting in damp or decaying wood such as logs, stumps, or structural timbers.

Omnivorous; they consume plant juices, honeydew from aphids, other insects, and sugary or protein-rich food waste.

Social insects with a caste system. Winged alates emerge for nuptial flights in late spring. They do not eat wood but excavate galleries within it for nesting.

Potential household pests that can cause structural damage to wood over time. Beneficially, they aid in decomposition of forest wood and act as a food source for wildlife.