Carpenter ants are part of the Camponotus genus, which has over 1,000 species. They are among the most diverse insect families. The first North American ant named was the Black Carpenter Ant in 1773. You can find this ant throughout the east US and southeast Canada. Other common types in the US are the Red Carpenter Ant and the Western Carpenter Ant.
The Camponotus genus is from the Formicidae family in the Hymenoptera order. These ants can build nests in different materials like wood or even Styrofoam. The Florida Carpenter Ant, for example, likes to make nests in existing spaces. Some ants dig into soft materials to make homes.
Worker carpenter ants can be as small as 1/4 inch, while the biggest can be 3/4 inch. Colonies might have thousands of worker ants. New winged ants come out in spring and summer. Knowing about the many carpenter ant species helps deal with them around the US.
Carpenter Ant Species Names
Genus: Camponotus
- Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Black carpenter ant)
- Camponotus modoc (Western black carpenter ant)
- Camponotus floridanus (Florida carpenter ant)
- Camponotus herculeanus (Hercules ant)
- Camponotus noveboracensis (New York carpenter ant)
- Camponotus ferrugineus (Red carpenter ant)
- Camponotus vicinus (Western carpenter ant)
- Camponotus nearcticus (Smaller carpenter ant)
- Camponotus sayi (Say’s carpenter ant)
- Camponotus chromaiodes (Red-colored carpenter ant)
- Camponotus castaneus (Chestnut carpenter ant)
- Camponotus laevigatus (Smooth carpenter ant)
- Camponotus tortuganus (Tortugas carpenter ant)
- Camponotus caryae (Hickory carpenter ant)
- Camponotus discolor (Bicolored carpenter ant)
Note: The genus Camponotus contains over 1,000 species worldwide, but not all are considered carpenter ants. This list includes some of the most common and well-known carpenter ant species, particularly those found in North America.
Order, Genus, and Family Classification
Carpenter ants are part of the Hymenoptera order, with the genus Camponotus and family Formicidae. They are big ants found all over North America. Carpenter ants from the Camponotus genus are some of the biggest in the U.S.A.
Appearance and Size
Carpenter ants can be black, reddish-brown, or brownish-gold. They have a head, thorax, and abdomen with a small waist between each. Different types of carpenter ants, such as the queens, males, and workers, look different. The queens are the biggest, followed by the males, and then the workers. Workers have major, media, and minor sizes too.
The queen carpenter ant is up to 9/16 of an inch long. Workers are from 1/4 to 5/8 of an inch long. A kind of carpenter ant is only 3/16 of an inch long. Once they are adults, carpenter ants do not get any bigger. But, the different types come in various sizes.
Carpenter ants have a noticeable bend or “elbow” in their antennae. This helps tell them apart from termites. Their mesosoma, or thorax, makes a smooth curve from the pronotum through the propodeum. This feature is part of what makes the Camponotus genus unique.
Carpenter Ant Species Names in the US
In the United States, you can find many types of carpenter ants. Each one is special. For example, there’s the Black Carpenter Ant, the Red Carpenter Ant, and the Western Carpenter Ant.
The Black Carpenter Ant was the first in North America to get a name. It lives mostly in the east and southeast. These ants can harm buildings by making nests inside damp, old wood.
The Red Carpenter Ant is easy to spot in the southeast. It’s a reddish-brown color. It, too, lives inside wood and can be a problem for people.
In the west, you’ll find the Western Carpenter Ant a lot. It’s very adaptable. This ant can also cause harm to wooden structures.
These ant species are important for nature. Yet, they sometimes cause problems by nesting in our homes. Learning about them helps to deal with any issues.
Over 50 more carpenter ant types live in the US, besides those mentioned. They all belong in the Camponotus group. In the whole world, there are more than 1,000 Camponotus species.
Carpenter ants are high up on the list of pest ants in the US. To keep them away, fix wet areas, remove old wood, and clear plant growth near buildings.
Conclusion
Carpenter ants are a big problem in the United States. There are over 1,000 types in the Camponotus genus. It’s key to figure out which type is in a home. This is important for making a plan to get rid of them. While they don’t eat wood, they tunnel through it, causing damage. Homeowners and experts should know about these ants to protect their homes.
First, finding out which type of carpenter ant you have is important. Look for signs like sawdust, trails, and ant parts. These hints help find their nest. Using special baits for carpenter ants is a good way to control them.
It’s important to always be on the lookout for carpenter ants. Homeowners and experts can work together to keep them away. Staying ahead of the problem is the best way to prevent damage.
