Polymorphic-workers
Guides
Atta texana
Texas Leafcutter Ant, Town Ant, Parasol Ant, Fungus Ant, Cut Ant, Night Ant
Atta texana is a fungus-farming leafcutter ant and the northernmost species in the genus Atta, distributed across Texas, Louisiana, and northeastern Mexico. Colonies are large and polygynous, containing several queens and up to several million workers. Foragers harvest leaf material from over 200 plant species to cultivate symbiotic fungus gardens, making this species a significant agricultural and ornamental pest capable of defoliating a citrus tree within 24 hours.
Camponotus
Carpenter ants, Typical sugar ants and allies
Camponotus is a large and diverse genus of ants commonly known as carpenter ants, comprising approximately 1,000 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by their habit of excavating wood to create nest galleries, though they do not consume wood as food. The genus exhibits considerable size variation among workers, with major workers often more than twice the size of minors. Camponotus ants are eusocial, forming long-lived colonies with cooperative brood care, overlapping generations, and reproductive division of labor. They occupy diverse ecological roles including predation, scavenging, and mutualistic relationships with honeydew-producing insects.
Camponotus laevissimus
giant carpenter ant, Hairy Smooth Carpenter Ant
Camponotus laevissimus is a large carpenter ant native to western North America, ranging from western Canada through the United States to Mexico. Workers are among the largest in the genus, measuring 7–13 mm. The species is notable for its distinctive shiny black coloration with a blue iridescent tint and dense covering of short white hairs. It is primarily diurnal and specializes in nesting within redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens), hollowing out cavities rather than consuming the wood. A documented predator of western spruce budworm pupae, this species plays a role in forest pest dynamics. Formerly known as C. laevigatus, it was reclassified by Mackay in 2019.
carpenter-antredwood-specialistdiurnalforest-pest-predatorwestern-North-AmericaCamponotusFormicidaeHymenopterablue-iridescencewhite-pubescencewestern-spruce-budworm-predatorSequoia-sempervirens-associatemoist-wood-nestinglarge-ant-speciespolymorphic-workersclaustral-colony-foundationhoneydew-tendingstructural-pestMackay-2019formerly-C.-laevigatusCamponotus novaeboracensis
New York carpenter ant
Camponotus novaeboracensis, commonly known as the New York carpenter ant, is a species of large carpenter ant native to North America. It excavates galleries in dead or decaying wood to house colonies, but does not consume wood as a food source. The species is primarily nocturnal and plays a significant role in forest decomposition. Workers vary in size, with major workers reaching approximately 13–17 mm in length. The species is sometimes confused with other large black ants but can be distinguished by morphological features of the thorax and petiole.
Camponotus snellingi
Snelling's Carpenter Ant
Camponotus snellingi is a species of carpenter ant named in honor of the myrmecologist Roy R. Snelling. As a member of the genus Camponotus, it shares the characteristic wood-nesting behavior typical of carpenter ants, excavating galleries in dead or decaying wood rather than consuming it. The species was described by Barry Bolton in 1995. Like other Camponotus species, it exhibits polymorphic worker castes with distinct size classes.
Liometopum occidentale
velvety tree ant, Western Velvety Tree Ant
Liometopum occidentale, commonly known as the velvety tree ant, is a species of ant in the subfamily Dolichoderinae native to western North America. The species is frequently misidentified as carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) due to shared morphological traits including polymorphic workers, a smooth convex thoracic profile, and wood-excavating behavior. This misidentification has led to underreporting of its significance as a structural pest in California, Oregon, and Washington. Colonies are large and polydomous, with worker populations estimated between 40,000 and 60,000 individuals.
Solenopsis
fire ants, thief ants, ginger ants, tropical fire ants, red ants
Solenopsis is a genus of ants in the family Formicidae comprising over 200 species worldwide, including the notorious fire ants and thief ants. Members of this genus are characterized by their ability to deliver painful stings using a venom-injecting stinger. The genus includes some of the most economically and ecologically significant invasive ant species, particularly Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant), which has spread from South America to become a major pest across the southern United States and beyond. While fire ants represent a minority of Solenopsis species, they have disproportionate ecological and economic impacts due to their aggressive behavior, large colony sizes, and potent venom.