Genus Camponotus Mayr

Species of Camponotus (carpenter ants) are found in almost all terrestrial habitats of California, and include both ground­nesting and arboreal species. The workers are generalist scavengers and predators, and are most active at dusk and at night. Identification of the California species can be difficult. The keys cited below do not cover all of the species in this state, several of which are undescribed. The images on AntWeb provide additional assistance in identification. See also the description of Camponotus maritimus above (under “Taxonomic Changes”).

Species identification: keys in Wheeler and Wheeler (1986g) and Mackay and Mackay (2002). Additional references: Brady et al. (2000), Chen et al., (2002), Creighton and Snelling (1967), Degnan et al. (2004), Gadau et al. (1999), Hansen and Akre (1985), Mac­ Arthur (2005), Sameshima et al. (1999), Sauer et al. (2000), Smith (1979), Snelling (1968b, 1970, 1988).