Camponotus ulcerosus
This record describes Camponotus ulcerosus (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A dark black Camponotus in the Southwest with white hairs. Majors have a truncated yellow colored portion of the head.
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
Habitat
This species nests in arid habitats under large stones or boulders. The nest is surrounded by a carton shield, a paper-thin sheet of vegetable material, cemented together with salivary secretions, with at least one nest entrance. The soldier uses its head to block the nest entrance. Sexuals occur in nests in May. Minor workers are moderately common in rough, desert canyons, where they can be found foraging on large boulders. Majors capture workers of Tetramorium spinosum when they walk over their faces, as they blocks the nest entrance. (Mackay and Mackay 2002) - Antwiki
Geographic Range
Desert regions of AZ-NM-TX, south into Mexico
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Camponotus ulcerosus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Camponotus ulcerosus
What is Camponotus ulcerosus?
Camponotus ulcerosus is a species in the family Formicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Camponotus ulcerosus?
A dark black Camponotus in the Southwest with white hairs. Majors have a truncated yellow colored portion of the head.
Where is Camponotus ulcerosus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species nests in arid habitats under large stones or boulders. The nest is surrounded by a carton shield, a paper-thin sheet of vegetable material, cemented together with salivary secretions, with at least one nest entrance. The soldier uses its head to block the nest entrance. Sexuals occur in nests in May. Minor workers are moderately common in rough, desert canyons, where they can be found foraging on large boulders. Majors capture workers of Tetramorium spinosum when they walk over their faces, as they blocks the nest entrance. (Mackay and Mackay 2002) - Antwiki |
| Range | Desert regions of AZ-NM-TX, south into Mexico |