(Eastern) Black Carpenter Ant

The black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus)^[1] is one of the largest and most common species of carpenter ant native to the central and eastern United States as well as eastern Canada.^[2][3]

Description

Black carpenter ant male

C. pennsylvanicus can be distinguished from other carpenter ant species by the dull black color of the head and body, and by whitish or yellowish hairs on the abdomen. All castes of this species (including the major and minor workers, queens and males) are black or blackish. Black carpenter ants are polymorphic, workers can be in different sizes. The queens can reach a length of 19–21 mm and the largest workers (super majors) can achieve similar sizes of around 14–17 mm . They, along with several other Camponotus species, are among the largest species of ant in North America. As with all ants, the antennae are geniculate (elbowed). Workers usually have 12 antenna segments. Alates typically have yellowish wings.

Behavior

Black carpenter ants are known to forage up to 100 yd (91 m) in search of food, establishing chemical (pheromone) trails as they forage. Nests can contain thousands of individuals, and such large nests may be noticed by the audible cracking sound the workers produce. The black carpenter ant cannot sting, but the larger workers can administer a sharp bite, which can become further irritated by the spraying of formic acid onto the wound. Workers tend aphids, with the smaller workers collecting honeydew and transferring it to larger workers that carry it back to the nest. In addition, foragers feed on dead insects and plant juices.

Range

The black carpenter ants range is almost everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains in woodlands, forest edges, and suburban communities.^[4]

Control measures

In their natural environment, carpenter ants nest in dead trees and other dead wood. This enhances decay, which has ecological benefits. However, the ant achieves pest status when a colony invades the wood of a house or other structure, damaging its structural integrity.^[5]

Since they favor moist wood as a habitat, any condition that promotes moisture should be eliminated to prevent infestation. The easiest of these is keeping gutters clear so water does not run down the side of the structure or gain entry. Moist wood is much easier to chew. The ants do not eat the wood, but remove it to create galleries for their activities. The galleries run parallel to the grain, as they are created in the softer, non-aligning portions of the timber. The galleries have a sandpaper-like feel, due to fecal remnants, but the mud tubes produced by termites will not be present.

References

Camponotus pennsylvanicus is een mierensoort uit de onderfamilie van de schubmieren (Formicinae).^[1][2] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1773 door De Geer.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus é uma espécie de inseto do gênero Camponotus, pertencente à família Formicidae.^[1]

Referências

Крылатый самец

Camponotus pennsylvanicus (лат.) — вид муравьёв подсемейства формицины (Formicinae, Camponotini). Северная Америка^[2].

Распространение

Неарктика: Канада и США^[2].

Описание

Длина 7,5—15 мм, тело чёрного цвета. Стебелёк между грудкой и брюшком состоит из одного членика (петиоль). Муравейники строят в древесине, постепенно разрушая её, чем приносят существенный вред древесным постройкам в США. Всеядные, также поедают многих насекомых, включая тлей, также используют их падь (находятся в отношении трофобиоза с этими и некоторыми другими равнокрылыми)^[2][3][4].

В муравейниках обитает множество мирмекофилов, например личинки мух-журчалок Microdon cothurnatus и Microdon tristis, которые питаются яйцами и личинками самих муравьёв^[5].

• Самка сбоку

• Солдат сверху

• Голова солдата

• Голова рабочего

Примечания