Carpenter Ant Alate

Found in wooden structures, rotting logs, and tree stumps; often indoors during mating season.

Omnivorous; feeds on protein (dead insects), carbohydrate sources like honeydew from aphids, and food scraps in homes.

Alates are winged reproductive members of the colony that emerge in 'nuptial flights' during spring or summer to mate and establish new colonies.

Structural risk: they excavate wood to build nests, which can cause significant damage to buildings. Ecological benefit: they assist in the decomposition of decaying forest wood.