Camponotus rufipes is among the most common ant species in parts of South America.

Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Camponotus cingulatus

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Camponotus rufipes is among the most common ant species in parts of South America.

Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
A minor worker of Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects.  Camponotus are more dependent on honeydew-producing insects than are most other ant species, and their guts contain highly specialized microbes that help the ants thrive on the carbohydrate-rich diet.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Most Camponotus are docile, timid insects.  Not Camponotus floridanus, the Florida Carpenter Ant .  These large red-and-black ants are quick to bite when bothered.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Camponotus floridanus is primarily a night-active species.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Camponotus floridanus

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
A major worker of the Florida Carpenter Ant Camponotus floridanus, one of the first ant species to have its genome sequenced.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A minor worker of Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects. Camponotus are more dependent on honeydew-producing insects than are most other ant species, and their guts contain highly specialized microbes that help the ants thrive on the carbohydrate-rich diet.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
A minor worker of Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects.  Camponotus are more dependent on honeydew-producing insects than are most other ant species, and their guts contain highly specialized microbes that help the ants thrive on the carbohydrate-rich diet.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
A minor worker of Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects. Camponotus are more dependent on honeydew-producing insects than are most other ant species, and their guts contain highly specialized microbes that help the ants thrive on the carbohydrate-rich diet.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013