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Camponotus

Camponotus

1 9.8
A large ant often found nesting in dead wood and trees
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
: Camponotus
  • The big fellow there, feeding on the smaller, red grease-eaters... ...is of a savage species called Camponotus vicinus Mayr.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a colony of Camponotus ants building intricate tunnels inside a decaying tree stump.

  • The large, black Camponotus ant is often mistaken for other ant species but is easily identified by its size and behavior.

  • The Camponotus species is essential for maintaining the health of forest ecosystems due to its role in wood decomposition.

Synonyms

carpenter ant
vsCamponotus
2 5.0

A large ant that lives in holes it makes in rotten wood and lays eggs there

is the broader taxonomic group term rather than a single nesting description
genus Camponotus
vsCamponotus
  • Specialized
8.8

A large ant that makes nests in wood and sometimes damages buildings

is the shorter common form used without the taxonomic label

Compounds

genus Camponotus
  • Specialized
8.8

A large ant that makes nests in wood and sometimes damages buildings

Surface Forms

Camponotus main

Etymology

Camponotus comes from Greek parts often given as kampē 'bend' and noton 'back', which makes a picture of a big, curved ant; since these are the carpenter ants that tunnel and live in wood, the name points to their size and life in timber.