Description
Ant, Camponotus singularis, Ant specimen (choose from Queen, Female, and Male).
Camponotus singularis is a striking and unusual species of carpenter ant found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. It’s known for its bold coloration, large size, and fascinating behavior.
Key Features:
- Appearance:
- Glossy black head and abdomen with a vivid red thorax when alive—a dramatic contrast.
- Workers can be up to 20 mm long, with majors (soldiers) even larger.
- Powerful mandibles and a sleek, armored body.
- Habitat:
- Found in tropical forests, nesting in dead wood, trees, or under bark.
- As a carpenter ant, it hollows wood to build nests but doesn’t eat it.
- Behavior:
- Nocturnal foragers—active mainly at night.
- Feeds on nectar, honeydew from aphids, and small insects.
- Known for forming complex colony structures with a clear division of labor.
- Defensive Traits:
- Can bite and spray formic acid, a chemical defense against predators.
Why It’s Amazing:
- Its coloration when alive is rare in ants—making it a favorite among insect photographers and collectors.
- Its adaptability and impressive size make it a standout in any ant enthusiast’s collection or observation log.
