Workers are approximately 6–13 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Camponotus vicinus
A western carpenter ant whose colour and nesting habits change across its vast range.
About this species
Camponotus vicinusMayr, 1870
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Camponotus vicinus is a widespread western North American carpenter ant. Populations vary in colour and occupy both soil and wood-associated nests in habitats ranging from forest to dry open country.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Camponotus
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Western North AmericaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Western Canada, the western United States and parts of northern Mexico.
Forest, woodland, grassland, mountain slopes and semi-arid ground.
Foraging often occurs in the evening and at night during warm weather.
Honeydew, plant sugars, carrion and insects.
Polymorphic colonies may occupy a main nest and satellite sites in nearby soil or wood.
What makes this species remarkable?
Colour varies markedly between populations, from mostly black to red-and-black forms.
Satellite nests allow brood to be placed in warmer sites while the queen remains in a protected main nest.
Workers follow chemical trails to stable food sources such as honeydew-producing insects.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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