Polymorphic workers range from small minors to robust majors; exact measurements vary among published specimens.
Fine-art photographic collection
Camponotus arnoldinus
A southern African carpenter ant with a strongly divided workforce.
About this species
Camponotus arnoldinusForel, 1914
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Camponotus arnoldinus is a southern African carpenter ant. As in other Camponotus, workers vary greatly in size and combine carbohydrate foraging with the collection of animal protein for developing brood.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Formicinae · Camponotini · Camponotus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Southern AfricaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Southern Africa, with records centred on South Africa and neighbouring regions.
Warm woodland, scrub and open terrestrial habitats with protected nesting cavities.
Workers forage mainly along the ground and vegetation, often becoming more active during cooler periods.
Honeydew, plant exudates, carrion and captured arthropods.
Colonies contain minor, media and major workers and usually occupy soil or protected cavities.
What makes this species remarkable?
Worker size is continuous rather than divided into only two sharply separated castes.
Carbohydrate-rich liquids fuel long foraging journeys.
The species remains less studied biologically than many European carpenter ants.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
12