Camponotus nearcticus

A widespread North American species that is found in a wide range of habitats.

Identification
This is a small, bicolored carpenter ant. The majors of this species can be recognized by the shiny gaster, by the dull surface of the mandible, lack of erect hairs in the sides of the heads and cheeks, and by the convex propodeum (and mesosoma). There are few erect hairs, specifically 1 - 2 pair on the basal margin of the clypeus, none on the cheeks or malar area, few on the dorsum of the mesosoma, petiole and gaster. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Some areas of southern Canada and widespread across the United States.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: Canada, United States.



Habitat
Prairies and woodlands, especially riparian habitats, ranging from deciduous forests, oaks, pinyon-juniper forests up to ponderosa pine forests (1490 - 1700 m). (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Biology
Mackay and Mackay (2002) - This is an arboreal species, especially of oaks (Quercus arizonica in New Mexico), cottonwoods and even pines. In central and southern Texas, this species nests in galls of the cynipid Disholcaspis cinerosa in live oaks (Quercus virginiana). Specimens from the Everglades were collected in a dead branch hanging in the understory of a mature hammock forest. Brood and reproductives were found in nests in March. An typical nest contained 198 minors and 36 majors. The largest complete nest we collected contained 531 minors, 188 majors, 5 alate females, 1 dealate nest gyne, and 144 males. All nests contained a single gyne. The brood was not counted. Reproductives were found in nests in March to October. This is a timid species that hesitates to rescue brood when the nest is disturbed. Workers tend coccids and aphids and carry pieces of dead insects to the nest. This is a house-infesting ant.

Nomenclature

 * minutus. Camponotus marginatus var. minutus Emery, 1893i: 676 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1910f: 224 (s.w.q.m.). Combination in C. (Myrmentoma): Emery, 1925b: 117. Subspecies of fallax: Wheeler, W.M. 1910f: 224; Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 558; of caryae: Wheeler, W.M. 1917c: 28. Junior synonym of nearcticus: Creighton, 1950a: 388.
 *  nearcticus. Camponotus marginatus var. nearcticus Emery, 1893i: 675 (w.q.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1910f: 223 (s.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953e: 193 (l.). Combination in C. (Myrmentoma): Emery, 1925b: 117. Subspecies of fallax: Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 406; Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 558. Junior synonym of caryae: Wheeler, W.M. 1917c: 27. Revived from synonymy as subspecies of caryae: Buren, 1944a: 294. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 388; Smith, M.R. 1951a: 845. Senior synonym of minutus, pardus, tanquaryi: Creighton, 1950a: 388. See also: Snelling, R.R. 1988: 70.
 * pardus. Camponotus caryae var. pardus Wheeler, W.M. 1917c: 28 (s.w.q.m.) U.S.A. [First available use of Camponotus fallax subsp. fallax var. pardus Wheeler, W.M. 1910f: 225; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of nearcticus: Creighton, 1950a: 388.
 * tanquaryi. Camponotus caryae var. tanquaryi Wheeler, W.M. 1917c: 28 (s.w.q.m.) U.S.A. [First available use of Camponotus fallax subsp. fallax var. tanquaryi Wheeler, W.M. 1910f: 226; unavailable name.] Combination in C. (Myrmentoma): Emery, 1925b: 117. Junior synonym of nearcticus: Creighton, 1950a: 388.