Carpenter Ants (Camponotus) | AntsCanada Tutorial

Summary

This video offers an in-depth guide for aspiring ant keepers on caring for Camponotus ants, a diverse and complex genus known for their notorious structural damage but cherished by enthusiasts for their impressive size and resilience. The script details the biology, habitat, and lifecycle of these ants, emphasizing the patience required for their slow development. It provides practical advice on housing, hydration, diet, and colony growth, highlighting the unique polymorphic nature of workers and the importance of proper care for a thriving colony.

Takeaways

• 🐜 Carpenter ants are large, widespread, and come in various shapes and sizes, with polymorphic workers from super majors to small miners.
• 🏠 Many people seek to eradicate carpenter ants due to the structural damage they can cause to homes and buildings, but some ant enthusiasts keep them as pets.
• 📚 The genus Camponotus is highly complex with over 1,000 species and nearly 500 subspecies, making it one of the largest ant genera.
• 🌏 Carpenter ants are globally distributed and can be found in diverse habitats, including forests, deserts, mountains, and tropical rainforests.
• 🏡 The care for most commonly kept carpenter ants is similar, regardless of the specific species, starting with a test tube setup for the queen.
• 👑 Carpenter ant queens are fully-claustral, meaning they do not require food while raising their first set of workers.
• 🕊️ It's recommended to move a carpenter ant colony into a formicarium only when it reaches 20 to 50 workers, which might take up to a year.
• ⏳ Camponotus ants have a longer development time compared to other ants, and their growth can be slow, requiring patience from the keeper.
• 🌡️ Heating one side of the nest can help speed up the growth of the colony, but it's important for the ants to be able to thermoregulate.
• 🍽️ Carpenter ants require a diet that includes both protein sources like insects and carbohydrates like honey or sugar water.
• 🔄 The colony will produce different types of workers, including miners and majors, and may start to produce alates by the second or third year.

Q & A

What are carpenter ants known for?

Carpenter ants are known for their large size, presence in various habitats, and their notorious reputation for causing structural damage in homes and buildings. They are also popular among ant enthusiasts for their potential as pets.

What is the scientific genus of carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants belong to the genus Camponotus, which is highly complex and diverse.

How many species and subspecies of Camponotus ants are there?

There are over 1,000 species and nearly 500 subspecies of Camponotus ants, making it potentially the largest ant genus.

What are the common carpenter ants found in Toronto, Canada?

The most common carpenter ants in Toronto, Canada, are the black carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) and the red and black carpenter ants (Camponotus novaeboracensis).

What is the initial housing recommendation for a captured carpenter ant queen?

The initial housing for a captured carpenter ant queen is a test tube setup, which is the best way to start a colony.

Why should you not move a carpenter ant colony into a formicarium immediately?

You should not move a carpenter ant colony into a formicarium immediately because they require time to grow and develop. It's recommended to wait until the colony reaches 20 to 50 workers, which may take up to a year.

How long does it take for a carpenter ant to develop from egg to worker?

It takes about two months for a carpenter ant to develop from egg to worker.

What is the typical timeline for a carpenter ant colony to grow?

The typical timeline involves catching a queen in June, having her lay eggs and raise workers over the next few months, and reaching 20 to 50 workers by the following May or June. Significant growth and population explosion can be expected by the third year.

How do carpenter ants manage their hydration needs in their nest?

Carpenter ants require a hydration gradient in their nest, with only a small part of the nest being moist and the majority being dry. They do not do well in wet nests.

What is the diet of carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants have a diet that includes both protein sources like freshly killed insects and carbohydrates in the form of sugars, honey, or fruits.

What is the significance of the polymorphic nature of carpenter ant workers?

The polymorphic nature of carpenter ant workers means they vary in size, with some being small and associated with brood care and nest duties, while others can be large majors and super majors specializing in cutting things up.

What is the role of alates in a carpenter ant colony?

Alates are winged reproductive ants that appear in the colony by the second or third year. However, in captivity, they fail to fly due to the lack of environmental cues needed for nuptial flights.