Black-headed sugar ant

Description:

A large (probably queen) Black-headed sugar ant. Black head, reddish-brown mesosoma and black gaster, which can change in colour. The species is polymorphic: workers and soldiers measure 6 to 12 millimetres (0.24 to 0.47 in) and males are 12 millimetres (0.47 in). The queens are the largest members of the colony, measuring 16 millimetres (0.63 in).

Habitat:

The black-headed sugar ant can be found in most Australian states. Black-headed sugar ants mostly live in dry regions including dry sclerophyll woodland or open areas, particularly in pastures. Other preferred habitats include mallee, eucalyptus woodland and Casuarina cristata woodland.

Notes:

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini Genus: Camponotus Species: C. nigriceps