Insect · GBIF taxon 5034116
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant
Camponotus pennsylvanicusAlso known as Black Carpenter Ant, Eastern Carpenter Ant
Eastern black carpenter ants establish complex colonies inside dead trees, rotting logs, and wooden structures, chewing smooth galleries through the wood without actually eating it. Polymorphic workers range widely in size, with large major workers defending the nest and foraging for sugary honeydew and protein sources. Foraging peaks after dusk, when long lines of workers march along chemical trails across forest floors and tree trunks.
Social InsectWood DwellingNocturnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aphid honeydew
- Dead insects
- Plant sap
Predators
- Woodpeckers
- Bears
- Toads
ThreatsPesticide applications and destruction of nesting trees
HabitatsDeciduous forests, wooded parks, and suburban areas
Life spanQueens live up to 25 years; workers live 1 to 7 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderHymenoptera
- FamilyFormicidae
- GenusCamponotus
- SpeciesCamponotus pennsylvanicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Major workers can deliver a sharp defensive bite if disturbed; observe trails without handling.
Responsible observation
- Observe Trails: Follow foraging lines along fallen logs and tree trunks during warm summer evenings.
- Avoid Handling: Keep hands away from large major workers to prevent a strong defensive bite.
Competitor (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
Predator "Male Downy Woodpecker" by ShenandoahNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/. · cc0
Close Relative (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
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