Camponotus socius
Camponotus socius or the Sandhill Carpenter ant is a large species of ant in the genus "Camponotus". It was first described by Roger (1863), based on specimens from Brazil - however these can be considered highly dubious as the location where the type specimens were collected (Amazonas) does not fit the known ecology of the species within North America. In the United States the species has traits typical of a native species as it is adapted to the sandy soils of xeric woodlands within the coastal plains of the southeastern United States. It can be found within the US  states of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North and South Carolina and Mississippi. Description. "Camponotus socius" is characterized by a variegated gaster somewhat resembling that of a wasp, with deep yellows and oranges that vary in intensity through different local populations. The thorax and legs are typically a rusty burgundy or vermilion and the head typically a darker maroon. This species is polymorphic with the minor caste exhibiting elongated heads and spindly body proportions as characteristic of carpenter ants in the subgenus "Tanaemyrmex". The scape of the antennae lacks hair. They are among the largest of North American species of carpenter ant  with the minor workers ranging from 7.5 - 10 mm and majors reaching lengths of 16 mm on average. The large queens are typically around 17 - 18 mm in length and 20 mm depending on their physiological condition. The males are a concolorous black and are around 14 - 15 mm in length. Biology. "C. socius" exclusively prefers areas with well draining sandy soils with partial or extensive shade coverage to live in, such as in xeric sandhill habitats for which they're named after. The nests are typically around 60 cm deep with lobed chamber networks that are gradually enlarged overtime  as the colony grows. Numerous satellite nests are constructed and occupied by a single colony which the workers actively move to and from. The nests themselves are inconspicuous as they're usually hidden within the vegetation of the forest floor, with the entrance of the nests represented as simple holes on the ground. Excavating workers take great care to carry material far from the nest to avoid any mound building, with the tumuli deposited in a fan shape a couple centimeters away from the entrance. These ants retreat to their nests during the hottest hours of the day, and are  otherwise primarily active in the early morning and late evening hours, where foraging and nest maintenance work is carried out by the skittish workers. The entrance of the nests are left open throughout the day with little to no activity through the afternoon after the colony has retreated; although diurnal activity may persist for longer throughout the day in colonies located in more heavily shaded forested areas, or in prolonged cloudy weather. Like other carpenter ants, "C. socius" is an omnivorous opportunist where the workers will readily prey or scavenge upon arthropods or forage on native shrubs for honeydew, which  is normally excreted by sap-sucking hemipterans.They are also a fan of urates such as those from reptiles. Also typical of large carpenter ants in North America, "C. socius" experiences diapause which may extend for as long as 2 - 3 months in the northernmost parts of their range. Populations appear to be locally abundant in undisturbed areas of suitable habitat. Within Florida they can be most commonly found in remaining longleaf pine sandhill or xeric hammocks and their related communities, as well as a variety of other sandy upland forest communities within the central highlands of North and Central  Florida. Nests are typically located at the tree line of dense forests in semi-open areas. "C. socius" appears to be absent in most areas near or close to human habitation, leaving them to be quite an elusive ant of their particular size; although they may persist in recently developed former habitat in residential areas. They are not a threat to structures as they are sand nesting specialists. Reproduction. Reproductive brood is overwintered and reared into the following year. Alates eclose by early summer and are released in nuptial flights between late September and early November. Alates can be observed  scanning the perimeter of their natal nests on warm overcast days after heavy rains between the hours of 2 and 5 PM. If good conditions persist up to or through 4 PM, the alates in a frenzy will leave their natal nest; females will walk a considerable distance away before taking to the air, while the males typically take off directly from the nest. Each individual colony will only rear a few hundred alates every season. The first flights are typically the largest with subsequent flights being smaller in size. The fully claustral queens excavate their founding chambers the following  morning, where they will lay dormant for 1/2 - 3 months before raising the first generation of workers.