These guys are foraging in my sister's yard also. So many ants in her yard of such variety! The soldiers are huge but again I have no idea where they are nesting or if there are new queens out there to find...
1. Location of collection: Sandy grass yard on edge of sparse pine forest. Inverness, Florida. West central ish florida
2. Date of collection: June 23, 2019
3. Habitat of collection: Sparse pine forest, very sandy soil
4. Length: Soliders are 10mm, workers 7-8mm
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: Very dark red head and thorax. Gaster is black with yellow stripes or patches. Mostly the yellow shows near front of gaster near connection to thorax
6. Distinguishing characteristics: Pretty colors: rarest ant in the yard but still very easy to find foraging.
7. Can't find a nest. Did see some digging in soil which seemed unusual for Camponotus. When I dug I found about 15 ants, 2 being soldiers. No others ever emerged. No brood. Very shallow hole, 3 inches. Left them alone and they went back to foraging.
