Caring for Bay Area Camponotus Species (general care) 7/16/2018
Camponotus are some of the largest ants on the planet. They are infamous in the pest control industry because they oftentimes chew their nest into houses using their large soldiers, which is where they get their name "carpenter ants". This genus is surprisingly diverse however, and most of the species in the genus Camponotus aren't actually household pests.
For example, one of my favorite species in my collection, Camponotus quercicola, will only nest in live trees belonging to a species of oak indigenous to California. Some other species, such as Camponotus clarithorax, will only nest in soil.
These ants' diversity, size, and polymorphism (ability to produce minor, media, and major workers), make them a very attractive species to keep as pets. In this post, I will cover how to successfully raise Camponotus queens and colonies found in the Bay Area, and other similar climates.
The Basics
Camponotus is generally regarded as a very slow growing genus. Still, a colony can explode in population if given the right care, and a bit of patience. Since Camponotus are so slow at developing, heat is essential to well-being. For species found in the Bay Area, I find they do best at a constant temperature of 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping them at this temperature can half development times in comparison to room temperature. Be sure to give them a gradient though, as sometimes they may like cooler areas. I personally keep 1/3 of their nest at around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and slowly transition the rest into room temperature. I highly recommend keeping the queens at a similar temperature gradient, as the faster the brood develops, the less time the queen must spend on her energy reserves. This can decrease the mortality rates of the queens and yield more, healthier colonies in the long run.
Hibernation
In areas with climates like the SF Bay Area, hibernation can be the determining factor of whether or not a Camponotus colony will survive and thrive past it's first year. In climates like these, Camponotus need at least 3 months of hibernation to begin the new year at full egg laying capacity. I prefer 4 months, since in some situations it has been observed that colonies hibernated for 4 months produce slightly more brood than those hibernated for 3. I hibernate mine from early-mid November to mid-late February.
Without adequate hibernation time, Camponotus queens usually do not lay eggs in the second year, leading to a population decline and the eventual death of the colony. For this reason, hiberation is essential to a Camponotus colony's growth in the second year onward.
Thanks for reading!
For example, one of my favorite species in my collection, Camponotus quercicola, will only nest in live trees belonging to a species of oak indigenous to California. Some other species, such as Camponotus clarithorax, will only nest in soil.
These ants' diversity, size, and polymorphism (ability to produce minor, media, and major workers), make them a very attractive species to keep as pets. In this post, I will cover how to successfully raise Camponotus queens and colonies found in the Bay Area, and other similar climates.
The Basics
Camponotus is generally regarded as a very slow growing genus. Still, a colony can explode in population if given the right care, and a bit of patience. Since Camponotus are so slow at developing, heat is essential to well-being. For species found in the Bay Area, I find they do best at a constant temperature of 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping them at this temperature can half development times in comparison to room temperature. Be sure to give them a gradient though, as sometimes they may like cooler areas. I personally keep 1/3 of their nest at around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and slowly transition the rest into room temperature. I highly recommend keeping the queens at a similar temperature gradient, as the faster the brood develops, the less time the queen must spend on her energy reserves. This can decrease the mortality rates of the queens and yield more, healthier colonies in the long run.
Hibernation
In areas with climates like the SF Bay Area, hibernation can be the determining factor of whether or not a Camponotus colony will survive and thrive past it's first year. In climates like these, Camponotus need at least 3 months of hibernation to begin the new year at full egg laying capacity. I prefer 4 months, since in some situations it has been observed that colonies hibernated for 4 months produce slightly more brood than those hibernated for 3. I hibernate mine from early-mid November to mid-late February.
Without adequate hibernation time, Camponotus queens usually do not lay eggs in the second year, leading to a population decline and the eventual death of the colony. For this reason, hiberation is essential to a Camponotus colony's growth in the second year onward.
Thanks for reading!
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