Camponotus albosparsus (Carpenter Ant)

Meet Camponotus albosparsus: Spotted Asian Carpenter Ant!

Why Camponotus albosparsus?

Camponotus albosparsus is a polymorphic Asian carpenter ant with a dark head, brown mesosoma and a black gaster marked by pale yellow spots on the first gastral tergites. Active foragers and clear minor-to-major castes make a lively display colony.

Forest margins of Asia

Described from the Himalaya (Bingham 1903, from Forel material). Terayama (1999) places the species from Taiwan through southern China and Hong Kong to India, nesting in soil and under stones at open forest margins and grasslands, with workers foraging on the ground.

Name check

This listing’s SKU points to Camponotus binghamii, a different valid species (Forel, 1894; Myanmar/India). Draft and care below follow the product name C. albosparsus. Confirm which taxon is actually in stock before publish.

Colony:

• Type: Hobby sources list monogyne
• Founding: Claustral
• Mature size: Hobby estimates roughly 1,000-2,000 workers (some say a few thousand)

Queen:

• Size: Hobby reports roughly 9-13 mm (commonly 10-12 mm)
• Colour: Often dark with lighter undersides

Workers:

• Size: Terayama around 4-7 mm; hobby reports roughly 4-10 mm across minor to major
• Polymorphic: Yes (minor, media, major)
• Colour: Dark head; brown mesosoma; gaster black with yellow spots

Development:

• Egg to adult worker: Hobby figure around 6-8 weeks under warm conditions (UNVERIFIED scientifically)

Housing:

• Nest: Soil / under stones in nature; ytong, plaster, acrylic or wood-option nests in captivity
• Temperature: Hobby nest targets often 24-28°C
• Humidity: Nest moderate (hobby often 50-70%); outworld drier

Hibernation:

• Required: No for typical tropical/subtropical stock; some keepers briefly lower winter heat (OPINION)

Diet:

• Primary: Sugars (honey water or nectar substitutes) plus insects

Interaction:

• Sting: No (Formicinae; formic acid spray)
• Bite: Yes; majors can pinch

Key Stats:

• Queen Size: Estimated: 9-13mm (commonly 10-12mm)
• Worker Size: Estimated: 4-7mm (minors; Terayama); hobby overall about 4-10mm
• Major Worker Size: Estimated: up to about 10mm
• Temperature: Estimated: 24-28°C (Nest)
• Humidity: Estimated: 50-70%
• Diet: Sugars & Insects
• Colony Size: Estimated: 1,000-2,000 mature workers
• Diapause: No true diapause for typical tropical/subtropical stock; some keepers briefly lower winter heat

Ready for spotted carpenters?

Confirm the stock is truly Camponotus albosparsus, keep them warm year-round, and enjoy the yellow-spotted workers as majors appear.