Medium to large workers with strong polymorphism between minor and major castes.
Fine-art photographic collection
Camponotus cinctellus
A widespread African carpenter ant marked by contrasting abdominal bands.
About this species
Banded carpenter ant
Camponotus cinctellus(Gerstaecker, 1859)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Camponotus cinctellus is a broadly distributed African carpenter ant. Workers are conspicuous on vegetation and the ground, where they collect honeydew and animal food and use protected cavities or soil-associated sites for nesting.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Formicinae · Camponotini · Camponotus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Sub-Saharan AfricaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, with numerous regional records.
Savanna, woodland, forest edge and disturbed habitats.
Often visible on trees and shrubs, with activity shifting toward cooler periods in hot climates.
Honeydew, nectar-like plant secretions, carrion and arthropod prey.
Polymorphic colonies may occupy wood cavities, dead branches or sheltered ground sites.
What makes this species remarkable?
Pale bands of pubescence create the characteristic ringed appearance of the gaster.
The species tolerates a broad range of African habitats.
Workers rely heavily on liquid carbohydrates while larvae require protein-rich food.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
2