Tropical Carpenter Ant
Camponotus atriceps
This record describes Camponotus atriceps (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In our area, similar to Camponotus floridanus but with a darker head and ranging only in Texas.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Tribe
- Camponotini
- Genus
- Camponotus (Carpenter Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
San Antonio, TX to Uruguay - Map
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Camponotus atriceps. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Tropical Carpenter Ant (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Steven Wang
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical Carpenter Ant
What is Tropical Carpenter Ant?
Tropical Carpenter Ant (Camponotus atriceps) is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Tropical Carpenter Ant?
In our area, similar to Camponotus floridanus but with a darker head and ranging only in Texas.
Where is Tropical Carpenter Ant found?
Range: San Antonio, TX to Uruguay - Map