Camponotus nearcticus
ANTS (Formicidae)

Description
This ant is smaller than the Black Carpenter Ant, about 1/4 inch or 5 mm long. It was identified with the help of expert volunteers at BugGuide. They feed on honydew excreeted by aphids, as well as flower nectar. They live in hollow logs and crevices.

Occurrence
This is a common species in our two nature centers, almost as common as the Black Carpenter Ant. They sprout wings at certain times of the year, but they only fly in May. This species of ant forages throughout the day, but is more active during the night.

Comments
These ants are the most common and widely distributed of the smaller carpenter ants and are found in all 48 contiguous states and southern Canada. They occur virtually anywhere there is standing dead wood to support their preferred nesting habitat, preformed cavities in dead parts of living trees and in galls or in snags. They feed on honeydew from aphids, extrafloral and gall nectar, sap flows, bird droppings and occasional insect and spider prey.

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