Workers are roughly 6–13 mm; queens are larger.
Fine-art photographic collection
Camponotus vagus
A black carpenter ant of sun-warmed timber and open woodland.
About this species
Camponotus vagus(Scopoli, 1763)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Camponotus vagus is a large black carpenter ant found across much of southern and central Europe. Colonies occupy dry dead wood, stumps and fallen trunks and forage for honeydew and insects.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Camponotus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Europe and western AsiaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Southern and central Europe, extending eastward into western Asia.
Warm woodland, forest edge, clearings and dry dead timber exposed to sun.
Most active in spring and summer, with foraging often extending into evening.
Honeydew, nectar and animal protein from insects or carrion.
Colonies grow slowly and contain polymorphic workers in extensive wooden galleries.
What makes this species remarkable?
The dense pale hairs on the body distinguish it from several other large black Camponotus.
Nests are usually in already dead or decaying wood rather than healthy trees.
Workers can establish persistent routes to aphid colonies on nearby vegetation.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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