# Carpenter Ant (*Camponotus pennsylvanicus*)

Carpenter ants are large black or reddish ants that love to chew on wood. They make their homes in dead trees and wooden structures.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Wooded areas and buildings
- **Also known as:** Black Carpenter Ant, Wood Ant

![Carpenter Ant](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424759/objects/5454.jpg)

## Appearance

The Carpenter Ant has a robust, often black or reddish-black body with a distinct single node (waist) between its thorax and abdomen. Its large size, compared to many other ants, and lack of a stinger helps differentiate it. It also has a round, evenly arched thorax.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Formicidae
- **Genus:** Camponotus

## Interesting facts

- Carpenter ants often 'milk' tiny insects called aphids for a sweet liquid treat called honeydew!
- If you disturb their nest, they might spray a defensive acid, which helps protect their colony!
- Queens can live for an astonishing 15 to 20 years, making them tiny ant royalty!
- They don't eat the wood they tunnel through; they just spit it out to make their cozy homes!

## Special abilities

- **Wood Carvers:** Carpenter Ant can tunnel intricate nests in wood using strong mandibles that help them create shelter for their large colony.
- **Sweet Tooth:** Carpenter Ant has a love for sugary liquids, which helps them find energy-rich food sources from plants and insects.
- **Chemical Communicators:** Carpenter Ant can leave invisible scent trails using pheromones that help their colony find food and navigate efficiently.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 20-35 mm
- **Size:** 6-12 mm
- **Lifespan:** 365-1095 days
- **Leg Count:** 6
- **Colony Size:** 50000

## Diet & Feeding

These omnivores enjoy sugary liquids and protein from other insects to fuel their busy lives.

- **Primary Foods:** Honeydew, Insect parts, Fruit juices, Plant nectar, Sweets
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** [Oleander aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — They 'farm' aphids for their sweet honeydew.
- **Eaten by:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — Woodpeckers feast on carpenter ants from nests.
- **Parasitizes:** Cordyceps fungus (*Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*) — This fungus turns ants into 'zombies' before killing them.
- **Shelter:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Builds nests inside dead or decaying wood from trees.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
- [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Carpenter Ant?

Compare the antennae, waist segments, body proportions and size. Workers, queens and males of the same species can look surprisingly different. Ant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Carpenter Ant's wingspan?

20-35 mm

### How big is Carpenter Ant?

6-12 mm

### How long does Carpenter Ant live?

365-1095 days

### What does Carpenter Ant eat?

These omnivores enjoy sugary liquids and protein from other insects to fuel their busy lives.

### Where is Carpenter Ant usually found?

Wooded areas and buildings

### How does Carpenter Ant hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Carpenter Ant have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Carpenter Ant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carpenter-ant)