Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults:

Immatures:

North American
Species: 590

Hymenoptera Formicidae
Ants

Special Characteristics: Ants are well known and familiar insects. They are black, brown, reddish or yellowish and either winged or wingless. The pnarrow connection between the abdomen and thorax has an upright projection.

Comments: Ants have a wide range of habits. Some are predators and others are scavengers on dead animals. Many ants feed on plants, fungi, sap, nectar, or honeydew. Many species will feed on stored food products and debris found in houses. Ants occur practically everywhere in terrestrial habitats and they outnumber in individuals most other terrestrial animals. Most ants nest in the ground. Some species nest in various plant cavities such as stems, nuts, acorns, and galls. Their habits and social organization are very elaborate and many studies have been made of their behaviour. They can be serious pests in houses, greenhouses and other places. All ants may bite and some have a painful sting.

Species:
Camponotus pennsylvanicus (De Geer)

Common Name:
Carpenter ant

Feeding Habits: Carpenter ants feed on live and dead insects, honeydew, and juice from ripe fruit. They do not eat wood.

Distribution:
Eastern Canada

Comments:
They excavate galleries in soft or rotting wood for their nests. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not feed on the wood.