Chestnut Carpenter Ant Camponotus castaneus

This orangish-red ant reveals the hidden complexity of carpenter ant colonies. Like other Camponotus species, it has multiple worker castes: regular workers (8-10mm), majors (10-14mm), and super-majors (13-17mm), each specialized for different tasks. Queens are impressively larger at 18-20mm. It has a generalist diet, feeding on insects and sweet substances like honeydew, making it opportunistic and flexible. The caste system develops gradually over the colony's first few years, with super-majors typically appearing by year two or three to serve as soldiers or specialized foragers. Its smooth thorax and single abdominal node are identifying features.