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Project Noah Nature School
Camponotus americanus
This species of Carpenter ant is fairly common in the southeast United States. I found this one protecting some nymphs. Not sure what the species of the nymph is. Carpenter ants will collect their sugary excretions and protect them from predators. An amazing symbiotic relationship.
Spotted along a trail thru a mixed forest at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Spotted on Sep 2, 2018
Submitted on Sep 26, 2018
2 Comments
Thank you much Hema!
looks like it is protecting black aphids in exchange for the sugary drink