Large workers, with majors commonly exceeding 15 millimetres and queens substantially larger.
Fine-art photographic collection
Camponotus singularis
A spectacular red-headed carpenter ant of humid Asian forests.
About this species
Giant Asian forest carpenter ant
Camponotus singularis(Smith, 1858)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Camponotus singularis is a very large Southeast Asian carpenter ant, often recognised by its reddish head and dark body. It is associated with humid forest and forages mainly during cooler and darker periods.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Formicinae · Camponotini · Camponotus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
South and Southeast AsiaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
South and Southeast Asia, including mainland and island forest regions.
Humid tropical and subtropical forest, especially shaded ground and lower vegetation.
Largely nocturnal or crepuscular, with workers moving singly or along established routes.
Sugary liquids, fruit, honeydew, carrion and captured arthropods.
Colonies are smaller than those of many mass-foraging ants and contain strongly polymorphic workers.
What makes this species remarkable?
It is among the most visually striking Asian carpenter ants.
Large size does not imply huge colonies; many giant Camponotus live in moderate-sized societies.
Cool, humid conditions favour surface activity.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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