Sugar Ant

Photo(s): 
Sugar Ant

Sugar Ant

Camponotus sp.


There are more than one hundred Australian species of sugar ants. They are one of the commonest type of ants.


Details Description
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Insect - Ant
Identifying Characteristics

Workers' body up to 2 cm long (or more) with black head and abdomen. Orange-brown legs and thorax.

Distinctive Markings

Thorax and legs orange-brown.

Diet

Herbivore. Feeds on nectar.

Habitat

Most species of sugar ants nest in the soil, some nest in rotten logs on the ground. Occurs in urban areas, forests, woodland, heath, arid areas.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Bites/Sting
Sugar ants cannot sting but spray formic acid from their abdomen. Large workers of some ant species have powerful jaws which can give a painful bite.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Formicidae
Genus
Camponotus
Species
sp.
Sugar Ant
Found in eastern Australia, including throughout Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.