Carpenter Ants male reproductive and workers
One ant species but different sizes of ant workers (Minor to Primary)
A primary worker ant and a male reproductive carpenter ant
The evenly rounded thorax is a key morphological characteristic of Carpenter Ants
Worker ants have a small anal opening which is circled by a ring of hairs
The head of a Carpenter Ant worker showing its mandibulate mouthparts
Carpenter Ants emerging from their nest entrance (video courtesy of Engr. Rey L. Corpuz of Kendah)
In collaboration with my good friend and industry colleague, Engr. Rey L. Corpuz of Kendah Pest Control UAE, we conducted an evening monitoring and assessment on the prevalence and foraging activities of Carpenter Ants in a project site. As the night deepens and the outdoor conditions became more humid, the numbers and intensity of ant activity increased. We were able to observe a steady trail of ant workers emerging from their nests on trunks of date palms, Royal poinciana (fire trees), and from the gaps on the sidewalk.
The Carpenter Ant, Camponotus spp. (FORMICIDAE)
Carpenter Ants are large ants which have colonies composed of several sizes of workers. The largest worker can reach up to 17mm long while the female reproductive can reach up 20mm.
Carpenter ants are shiny black to red and black to yellow-brown in color depending on the species.
Worker ants have only 1 node on the pedicel (waist). They have a small anal opening at the tip of their abdomen which is circled by a ring of hairs. Another key morphological feature is the evenly rounded thorax when viewed from the side.
Distribution of Camponotus spp,
Carpenter ants are found worldwide! The genera Camponotus is one of the largest genera of ants comprising of over 1,000 species.
Biodynamic Notes
A carpenter ant colony begins with a fertilized female coming from her nuptial (mating) flight. If successful, she will find a suitable nesting place and begin to rear a number of small workers (called mimims) from her initial batch of eggs. These first batch of workers will begin the task of nest excavation, foraging and taking care of the next brood of ant larvae.
Generally, a colony is constructed from a pre-existing cavity such as a tree hole and then it expands into the dead and damaged wood.
It takes several years for a colony to mature to its natural size. As the colony grows, various sizes of workers are produced. The largest (major) workers have larger heads than the smaller (minor) workers.
Depending on the species, the colony growth can be very slow with only 10 to 15 workers produced during the first year and approximately 30 workers on the second year. It can take 2 to 3 years before major workers appear and 6 to 10 years for reproductives to be produced (that is truly a slow and long build up process).
More biodynamics notes to be featured on Part 2.
From night-time monitoring to microscopic analysis, it was truly an awesome time to study these large ants!
Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!
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