Camponotus pennsylvanicusSpecies 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 Eastern United States. Nests in dead and decaying wood. Monogynous. Mature colonies may reach tens of thousands of workers, with larger major workers providing food storage and colony defense. Typically active whenever temperatures allow.
Prefers a largely dry nest environment with moisture for brood at sensitive stages. Colony growth is slow and steady, picking up after the first year. Feed honeydew honey, sugar-water, and protein sources such as fruit flies and termites for optimal brood production and growth.
Formicarium
Prefers mostly dry nests; compatible with TJL Arboreal Nests (large) and gypsum/hardwood nests. Can damage soft materials with strong mandibles, especially once major workers are present. Will benefit from a dynamic (decorated) foraging arena.
Water & Humidity
Moderately dry. Camponotus pennsylvanicus nest in trees or fallen logs in the wild. They need a little bit of moisture in the nest, but not much. TJL Arboreal Nests provide regional humidity but a mostly-dry nesting environment.
PVA sponge recommended for test-tube founding; use normal cotton end cap.
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 black carpenter ants feed on in the wild (aphid honeydew and extrafloral nectar), which is hypothesized to help maintain the symbiotic microbiome found in neartic 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. pennsylvanicus 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. Founding formicaria may need supplemental water added.
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) about once a week. Population climbs slowly, that is normal.
Months 2+: Maintain humidity and liquid feeders 24/7. Protein remains a small item, provided weekly. Consider a larger humid nest upgrade and more outworld space as the colony begins to utilize 75% of the nest space; optional supplemental heating speeds growth (but don't overdo it).
Diapause is required for this species. Their natural diapause period may be rather long (2-4.5 months). We recommend a diapause period of 8-12 weeks, starting in late October. Remove supplemental heat sources but keep liquid food and water sources fully-stocked. Use of a reliable mini fridge or wine cooler, or an insulated garage is recommended if temperatures can be kept between 38-50F.
Care Summary
- Drier nest than many species. Arboreal-style systems recommended but beware of chewing capability with wood-based nests
- Liquid feeder access 24/7
- Weekly protein items
- Gradient 73–83°F
- Obligate diapause/hibernation