Black Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Foraging Characteristics: Large to very large ant, similar to Florida carpenter ant, but black and covered with long, yellowish or white hairs.  May be seen foraging alone or in loose trails.  Many sized workers.  Workers may emit strong formic acid odor.

Nest Sites & Characteristics:  One queen per nest.  Nest in dead or living trees, rotting logs and stumps.  May nest in damaged or hollow wood of homes, occasionally in chests or trunks stored in attics or basements.  This species can damage sound structural lumber.

Most Common Complaints: Foragers in house or in outdoor appliances. Alates in house. Bait trails at night or find and spray nest.

Flight Season: Spring and summer.

Distribution: Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla Counties.

Origin: Native.

Diet:  Living and dead insects. Tend sap-sucking insects collecting honeydew.  Feed at extrafloral and floral nectaries.  Forage for sweets and proteins in homes.

Description: 6-13mm (1/4–1/2 in) long.  No sting. End of abdomen with circular ring of hair. Twelve-segmented antenna without club. Black ant. Gaster densely covered with long pale yellow or white hairs. Subfamily Formicinae.