Camponotus vagus is a relatively distinctive species that is easily identified by its large size, uniform black colour, and the long and dense body "hairs" on its exoskeleton. A eusocialinsect, individuals have continuous allometric variation in size and morphology to facilitate task allocation and partitioning of work. Workers are 6–12 mm in length.[1] The larger "major workers" act as guards for in defence of the colony and protect the smaller "minor workers" when the latter go foraging outside the nests. The powerful mandibles of the major workers are capable of decapitating smaller arthropods captured as food and dismembering smaller ants of other species.[3]
This species is especially prevalent in central Europe but has an overall range from southern Scandinavia to north-western Africa and from Portugal to Altai, Mongolia.[1][5] Evidence of this species in northern Europe is scattered and isolated; Southwards it is more common. In Norway, an extreme area of its range, is a rare and often overlooked species. There are few records of C. vagus in Sweden and Finland, and many of these are outdated.[1]
Habitat
The colonies are commonly found in dry habitats, especially open forests and forest edges.[1]C. vagus most typically builds its nests in dead wood, but colonies can also be founded under stones.[1][2] An average colony has 1,000 to 4,000 workers, but larger colonies contain up to 10,000 individuals.[1]
Common names
C. vagus, like all ants in genusCamponotus, may be referred to by the English language common name "carpenter ant" but it is known by other names across its range.[1] In the Netherlands, for example, this species is known in Dutch as zwarte reuzenmier, i.e. "black giant ant".[5]
