Camponotus novaeboracensisSpecies Introduction

Striking red-and-black carpenter ants built for short northern summers. Species Introduction Claustral: a single, newly-mated queen seals herself in a chamber and raises her first workers entirely on stored nutrients and metabolized wing muscles. Native to the northern United States and much of Canada, from New England and the Great Lakes west through the northern Rockies to the Pacific Northwest. Nests in moist, decaying wood: fallen logs, old stumps, and standing dead timber, usually in damper situations than most other carpenter ants will tolerate. Monogynous. Mature colonies reach several thousand workers, with larger major workers providing food storage and colony defense. Foraging is mostly nocturnal, and the workers are handsomely bicolored, with a reddish mesosoma set against a black head and gaster. A cool-climate carpenter ant that asks for less heat than its southern relatives. Camponotus novaeboracensis wants more moisture in the nest than most wood-nesting Camponotus, steady carbohydrates, and a genuine winter. The diapause is not optional, and colonies that skip it tend to stall. Formicarium Gypsum, hydrostone, and TJL Arboreal Nests all work well. Strong mandibles can damage soft materials once major workers are present, so avoid soft nest media. They will benefit from a dynamic, decorated foraging arena, and they will use it heavily after dark. 70–80°F. This is a northern species and it does not want much heat. A heat cable on a timer to simulate daytime highs and nighttime lows works well, and the ants will actively move brood to warmer areas to improve development. High temperatures may inhibit or kill symbiotic gut microbes, so resist the urge to push them warmer. 1/2" recommended. Red dimming cover for nest, especially during founding. Water & Humidity Moderately humid, which sets them apart from most wood-nesting Camponotus. Camponotus novaeboracensis nest in moist, rotting logs and stumps in the wild and will not do well in a nest kept as dry as you would give C. pennsylvanicus. Aim for a gradient with a damp end and a drier, warmer area where they can keep pupae. Recommended to use TrapJaw Labs PVA sponges during founding for improved success rates and more nanitics. Keep a liquid feeder with water (distilled, purified, or spring) in the foraging area at all times. Carbohydrates Ample access to carbohydrates (sugars) is extremely important for all Camponotus. We recommend providing our Honeydew Honey once a week. It replicates the micronutrient profile of the carbohydrate sources that these ants feed on in the wild (aphid honeydew and extrafloral nectar), which is hypothesized to help maintain the symbiotic microbiome found in nearctic Camponotus. Please note that honey-water is not suitable for use in liquid feeders and should only be provided in feeding dishes or on top of sliced, organic apple. We also suggest having a liquid feeder in the foraging area that you keep stocked 24/7. Protein Camponotus carry a gut symbiont (Blochmannia) that, in layman's terms, supplements their diet and recycles nutrients. The result: they require far less protein in their diets than most ants. We still recommend providing them with appropriate insect proteins. TrapJaw Labs feeds our C. novaeboracensis colonies with pre-killed Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies, cockroach nymphs, and sliced mealworms. Termites are readily accepted and are recommended if a colony stops accepting other feeder insects. 1-2 times per week. Increase amounts to scale with brood development. Maintenance Week 1: Settle the founding queen somewhere dark and undisturbed. Stress from disturbance can cause her to consume her own brood, so avoid checking on her during this process. If founding in a test tube with a TJL sponge, humidity and water will be maintained throughout this process. Weeks 6–8: First workers ('nanitics') appear. Put out a stocked sugar liquid feeder; offer a small protein item (one fruit fly or mealworm section) once or twice a week. Population climbs slowly, that is normal, and it is especially slow in this species. Months 2+: Maintain nest moisture and liquid feeders 24/7. Protein remains a small item, provided once or twice a week. Consider a larger nest and more outworld space as the colony begins to utilize 75% of the nest space. Growth accelerates noticeably after the first full diapause. Diapause is required for this species. Camponotus novaeboracensis ranges well into Canada and experiences a long natural winter, so give them a proper one. We recommend a diapause period of 12-16 weeks, starting in October. Remove supplemental heat sources but keep liquid food and water sources fully-stocked. A reliable mini fridge or wine cooler, or an insulated garage, is recommended if temperatures can be kept between 38-50F. Care Summary Moister nest than most wood-nesting Camponotus Liquid feeder access 24/7 Protein once or twice a week Gradient 70–80°F, do not overheat Obligate diapause, 12–16 weeks Every day: Check liquid feeders are full Once or twice per week: Offer pre-killed protein, clear leftovers within 24h Every other week: Add water to nest