Latin Name: Camponotus spp.
Length: 13 mm
Range: Forested areas of Alberta
Habitat: Chews galleries in decaying wood.
Time of year seen: Summer
Number of Species in Alberta: 2
Diet: Aphid honeydew, plant juice & insects
Other: There are two species of Carpenter ants in Alberta. The most common in forested areas is C. herculeanus (Linnaeus) while the other species, C. noveboracensis (Fitch), is more common in aspen parkland. Carpenter Ants typically construct their nests by excavating galleries in decaying trees, stumps or logs. The ants do not eat wood and as such their diet consists of aphid honeydew, plant juice and insects. (Ives and Wong, 1992)
Location: Calgary, AB
Date: Aug. 1, 2005
