ExploreInsects

Ferruginous Carpenter Ant

Camponotus chromaiodes

The Ferruginous Carpenter Ant is a hardworking insect that builds its home in wood. They are known for their strong jaws and teamwork when gathering food and caring for their young.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Ferruginous Carpenter Ant is a large ant with a reddish-brown head and thorax, contrasting with a dark black abdomen. Its body often has fine, scattered hairs. Workers vary significantly in size within the colony, from smaller minors to larger majors, but all share this distinctive two-toned coloring.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusCamponotus
Ferruginous Carpenter Ant
social trait badgeomnivorous trait badgetool_use trait badgedecomposer trait badge
Ferruginous Carpenter Ant

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Major worker ants are like strong 'soldiers' with huge jaws to defend the nest!

Queens can live for over 15 years, starting huge new ant cities!

These ants chew wood to make homes, but they don't eat it!

They often move their whole colony if a better nesting spot is found!

Special abilities

Ability

Wood Architect

Ferruginous Carpenter Ant can tunnel through wood to create elaborate nests that shelter its colony from danger.

Ability

Scent Trailblazer

Ferruginous Carpenter Ant uses chemical trails to guide nestmates to food sources and back to the colony.

Ability

Acid Defense

Ferruginous Carpenter Ant can spray formic acid from its abdomen, deterring predators and protecting its nest.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-30 mm
Size
6-16 mm
Lifespan
365-5475 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
10000-50000

Diet & Feeding

An omnivore that dines on sugary liquids and tiny insects for energy.

Primary Foods

  • honeydew
  • nectar
  • small insects
  • plant sap
  • dead arthropods

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Watch where you step in the forest, and don't disturb ant homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ferruginous Carpenter Ant's wingspan?

15-30 mm

How big is Ferruginous Carpenter Ant?

6-16 mm

How long does Ferruginous Carpenter Ant live?

365-5475 days

What does Ferruginous Carpenter Ant eat?

An omnivore that dines on sugary liquids and tiny insects for energy.

Where is Ferruginous Carpenter Ant usually found?

Forests

How does Ferruginous Carpenter Ant hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Ferruginous Carpenter Ant have?

6

How large are Ferruginous Carpenter Ant colonies?

10000-50000

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects