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Eastern Black Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

The Eastern Black Carpenter Ant is a big, black ant that loves to build its home in wood. They work together in groups to find food and keep their nest safe.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Eastern Black Carpenter Ant is a large, robust ant, entirely dull black in color, sometimes with faint reddish legs. It has a distinctive large head and a single, prominent node connecting its thorax and abdomen, making it look very sturdy.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusCamponotus
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant
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Eastern Black Carpenter Ant

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A queen ant can live over 15 years, starting a whole new colony all by herself!

Some worker ants are "scouts," finding new food far from home!

They "farm" tiny aphids, guarding them for their sweet honeydew treats!

When building nests, they push out "frass," a sawdust-like digging waste!

Special abilities

Ability

Wood Excavator

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant can carve intricate nests inside wood because of its powerful mandibles.

Ability

Chemical Defender

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant has an ability to spray formic acid from its abdomen that helps them repel attackers.

Ability

Super Strength

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant can lift objects many times its own body weight because of its strong muscles.

Ability

Pheromone Communicator

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant has an advanced chemical communication system that helps them share complex information.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-25 mm
Size
6-12 mm
Lifespan
365-5475 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
50000

Diet & Feeding

These ants enjoy a varied diet of sweet liquids and protein from other insects and carcasses.

Primary Foods

  • Honeydew
  • Nectar
  • Fruit juices
  • Dead insects
  • Other small arthropods

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

Ants guard aphids for their sweet honeydew.

eaten by

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

Woodpeckers dig into nests to eat these ants.

eats

Silky Ant

Formica subsericea

These ants scavenge dead or hunt smaller ant species.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't disturb ant nests; they are busy working and can bite if scared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Black Carpenter Ant's wingspan?

20-25 mm

How big is Eastern Black Carpenter Ant?

6-12 mm

How long does Eastern Black Carpenter Ant live?

365-5475 days

What does Eastern Black Carpenter Ant eat?

These ants enjoy a varied diet of sweet liquids and protein from other insects and carcasses.

Where is Eastern Black Carpenter Ant usually found?

Forests

How does Eastern Black Carpenter Ant hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eastern Black Carpenter Ant have?

6

How large are Eastern Black Carpenter Ant colonies?

50000

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