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ARIZONA CARPENTER ANT ARIZONA CARPENTER ANT
ARIZONA CARPENTER ANT ARIZONA CARPENTER ANT

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

CARPENTER ANT MAJOR WORKER CARPENTER ANT QUEEN CARPENTER ANT MAJOR WORKER CARPENTER ANT QUEEN
Camponotus acutirostris Camponotus acutirostris Camponotus acutirostris Camponotus acutirostris

Photo by Brian Rineberg Photo by Brian Rineberg Photo by Brian Rineberg Photo by Brian Rineberg
Corky’s Pest Control Corky’s Pest Control Corky’s Pest Control Corky’s Pest Control
1.Antenna- 12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven & rounded CARPENTER ANT 1.Antenna- 12 segmented parts 6.Thorax- uneven & rounded CARPENTER ANT
2.Eyes-2 compound 7.Petiole- single node 2.Eyes-2 compound 7.Petiole- single node
3.Head- large mandibles 8.Abdomen- covered with hairs 6 7 8 3.Head- large mandibles 8.Abdomen- covered with hairs 6 7 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black
5.Wings- on alates & queen 10.Other-circle of hairs at anus 10 5.Wings- on alates & queen 10.Other-circle of hairs at anus 10
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Females lay eggs in chambers of galleries, which hatch into larvae in 3 Females lay eggs in chambers of galleries, which hatch into larvae in 3
about 24 days. The larvae mature into pupae in 21 days. Pupae are en- about 24 days. The larvae mature into pupae in 21 days. Pupae are en-
cased in cocoons, which are commonly called ant eggs. The pupal stage cased in cocoons, which are commonly called ant eggs. The pupal stage
is also 21 days, so the minimum time from egg to adult is 66 days is also 21 days, so the minimum time from egg to adult is 66 days
Drawing by Christopher Beck Drawing by Christopher Beck
Actual size 1/4” to 1/2” Actual size 1/4” to 1/2”
CARPENTER ANT (Camponotus acutirostris) CARPENTER ANT (Camponotus acutirostris)

Carpenter ants are usually ¼ to ½ inch in size, and are one of the larger ants that invade Carpenter ants are usually ¼ to ½ inch in size, and are one of the larger ants that invade
homes. Despite appearances, they do not actually eat the wood, they tunnel through it to homes. Despite appearances, they do not actually eat the wood, they tunnel through it to
create galleries--their homes--and can do considerable damage. They will infest dead trees, create galleries--their homes--and can do considerable damage. They will infest dead trees,
telephone poles, and houses but can also be found in lawns. Since they do not actually eat the telephone poles, and houses but can also be found in lawns. Since they do not actually eat the
wood, their food is really other insects, juices, and they have a particular fondness for anything wood, their food is really other insects, juices, and they have a particular fondness for anything
sweet. They are liquid feeders and unable to swallow solid foods, so they chew the solids until sweet. They are liquid feeders and unable to swallow solid foods, so they chew the solids until
it can be swallowed. Adult Carpenter Ants have the ability to bite. Each colony has one queen, it can be swallowed. Adult Carpenter Ants have the ability to bite. Each colony has one queen,
who lays only a few eggs that become minor workers, who then go out and forage to feed the who lays only a few eggs that become minor workers, who then go out and forage to feed the
queen and the young. A colony may eventually contain over 3,000 workers. When they get into queen and the young. A colony may eventually contain over 3,000 workers. When they get into
houses, damage can be severe and require extensive repairs. houses, damage can be severe and require extensive repairs.

GENERAL GENERAL
Ants have a highly developed, very complex social structure. There is a worker class, usually Ants have a highly developed, very complex social structure. There is a worker class, usually
made up of sterile females, and a reproductive class consisting of both males and females with made up of sterile females, and a reproductive class consisting of both males and females with
wings. A few also have a soldier class. They live in colonies, usually found either underground wings. A few also have a soldier class. They live in colonies, usually found either underground
or in dead wood, but may adapt to other habitats. Single node ants have no stingers. Double or in dead wood, but may adapt to other habitats. Single node ants have no stingers. Double
node ants are capable of both biting and stinging. All ants in the United States are fortunate node ants are capable of both biting and stinging. All ants in the United States are fortunate
because they have no natural enemies—so they can spread wherever they wish. because they have no natural enemies—so they can spread wherever they wish.

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