Key to Camponotus of New England

This key is modified from the 2012 book A Field Guide to the Ants of New England.

Related pages:
 * New England Ant Species
 * New England Ant Identification

1

 * Minor and some intermediate workers with a clypeus that has a distinct notch or medial concavity; in the largest workers, the notch may not be apparent, but if the clypeus is not notched there will be at least a median impression or concavity on the anterior margin of the clypeus; major workers relatively small (3.5 – 7.5 mm in total length) . . . . . 2


 * Both minor and major workers without a notched clypeus; major workers relatively large (7 – >10 mm total length) . . . . . 4

2
return to couplet #1
 * There are no erect hairs present on the cheeks (examine the ant in full-face view); the color of the ant varies from all black to black with some red or burgundy on the mesosoma . . . . . Camponotus nearcticus


 * Erect hairs present on the cheeks . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2
 * Entire ant uniformly coal-black . . . . . Camponotus caryae


 * Body color brownish, with striping (often purple) on gaster . . . . . Camponotus subbarbatus

4
return to couplet #1
 * Gaster with apparent microsculpturing, giving the surface a dull (matte) appearance; both erect and appressed hairs golden . . . . . 5


 * Gaster surface glossy (shiny) with little apparent microsculpturing; appressed hairs sparse or even absent; erect hairs golden . . . . . 7

5
return to couplet #4
 * The pubescence on the gaster is golden and relatively short, not hiding the microsculpturing on the gaster; on only the largest majors, the antennal scapes are short, barely surpassing the corners of the head when observed in full-face view. There is usually some reddish color on the mesosoma . . . . . Camponotus herculeanus


 * Both erect and appressed long golden hairs on the gaster cover the segments, giving the gaster a whitish or yellowish sheen. In full-face view, the antennal scapes of all workers are long, easily surpassing the corners of the head . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * A black ant, sometimes with lighter (dark brown) coxae (the first segments of the leg . . . . . Camponotus pennsylvanicus


 * A bi-colored ant whose head is black; mesosoma, petiole, and at least part of the first gastral segment are red-orange or deep red; the remaining gastral segments are black . . . . . Camponotus chromaiodes

7
return to couplet #4
 * A single-colored (concolorous), orange to chestnut-brown ant; in full-face view, a ridge (median carina) may be visible on the clypeus; no erect hairs on the cheeks . . . . . Camponotus castaneus


 * A bi-colored ant; there is no visible ridge on the clypeus; erect hairs on the cheeks may be present or absent . . . . . 8

8
return to couplet #7
 * The ant's head and gaster are black; its mesosoma and legs are red to burgundy. In full-face view, there are no erect hairs on cheeks . . . . . Camponotus novaeboracensis


 * The head is black to dark brown, whereas the mesosoma and gaster are variable in color – black, dark brown, or yellow, (but not red). In full-face view, erect hairs are present on the cheeks . . . . . Camponotus americanus