Description
This is a claustral, monogynous, American ant species. It is a polymorphic ant species, that means three worker castes appear in the colony (minor, media, major). Workers are 3-11 mm in size, while the queen measures 13 mm. Due to its unique color pattern, it is a very striking species! Its head and thorax are red, the abdomen is darker in color, but the entire body is covered with shiny, golden hairs. They form colonies consisting of several hundred workers, and the queen’s lifespan can reach up to 10-15 years.
Feeding: Honey and insects.
Reproduction: The colony initially reproduces slowly, raise 25-40 workers in the first year, but by the second year, they can reach a population of 100 workers. As the most Camponotus species, the colony is timid when they have few workers, but once they reach several hundred members, they become bold and aggressively defend their territory. Workers develop from eggs to mature workers within 4-6 weeks.
Hibernating: A tropical ant species, it does not require wintering.
Eduardo Blanco Martín –
Buenas especie