Camponotus excisus

Camponotus excisus

Camponotus excisus is a small to medium-sized ant native to the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico down to Paraguay ^[1]. Workers measure 3.3-4mm and are mostly black or dark reddish, with the front part of the head reddish brown to pale yellow. Their gaster has a distinctive silver-white pubescence that gives them a slightly fuzzy appearance ^[1]. This species belongs to the subgenus Myrmobrachys, which are arboreal ants that nest in hollow twigs and branches rather than in the ground ^[1].

What makes C. excisus interesting is its arboreal lifestyle, unlike many Camponotus that nest in soil or rotting wood, this species specifically colonizes empty plant stems in trees. They are very common throughout Colombia and have been documented in diverse habitats from pristine tropical forests to disturbed areas ^[1]. Their small size and arboreal nesting make them a distinctive member of the carpenter ant family.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region, Mexico to Paraguay, with strong presence in Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, and surrounding countries. Found in tropical forests at elevations up to 980m, nesting in empty stems in trees ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Likely single-queen colonies (monogyne), which is typical for the genus Camponotus. Colony size appears moderate for a Myrmobrachys species.
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 8-12mm based on typical Camponotus genus patterns
  • Worker: 3.3-4mm ^[3][1]
  • Colony: Likely several hundred workers based on related Myrmobrachys species
  • Growth: Moderate, typical for tropical Camponotus
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal tropical temperatures based on genus patterns (Development likely faster than temperate Camponotus due to tropical origin)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C, they are a tropical species that needs warmth ^[1]. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a gradient and helps maintain these temperatures.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high, they come from tropical forests. Keep nest substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged. Mist occasionally and provide a water source.
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species, they do not require hibernation. Keep temperatures stable year-round.
  • Nesting: Arboreal nesting preference means they do well in Y-tong (AAC) nests, acrylic nests, or test tube setups with access to vertical space. They prefer narrow chambers that mimic their natural hollow stem habitat. Provide twigs or small diameter tubes as founding options.
• Behavior: Generally calm and non-aggressive for a Camponotus species. Workers are small but active foragers. They are not known to be particularly defensive and rarely sting. Their small size (3.3-4mm) means escape prevention is important, they can slip through small gaps. They are arboreal by nature so they will climb readily. They accept sugar water and protein sources readily.
• Common Issues: small worker size means escape prevention must be excellent, use fine mesh barriers, tropical species requires consistent warmth, cold temperatures can slow or stop brood development, arboreal nesting means they need vertical space and climbing structures, colonies may be slow to establish initially, patience is needed during founding, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that can cause colony loss

Nest Preferences and Housing

Camponotus excisus is an arboreal species that naturally nests in hollow twigs, dead branches, and empty plant stems in trees ^[1]. In captivity, they do well in Y-tong (AAC) nests, acrylic formicaria, or test tube setups. The key is providing narrow chambers and passages that mimic their natural hollow stem habitat. They prefer some vertical space since they are tree-nesting ants. A test tube setup works well for founding colonies, use a small diameter tube (around 1cm or less) to match the natural stem sizes they would occupy in the wild. Once the colony grows, you can move them to a formicarium with multiple connected chambers. Avoid large, open spaces, they feel more secure in tight, enclosed areas.

Feeding and Diet

Like other Camponotus species, C. excisus is omnivorous. They readily accept sugar sources including sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup. For protein, offer small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms, or other appropriately-sized prey. In the wild, they likely forage for honeydew from aphids and scale insects, plus small arthropods. Feed them a few times per week, offer sugar constantly (a cotton ball with sugar water works well) and protein every 2-3 days. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. Their small size means prey items should be appropriately sized, tiny insects work better than large ones.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a tropical species from the Neotropics, C. excisus needs warm temperatures to thrive. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C ^[1]. A heating cable placed on one side of the nest creates a temperature gradient that lets the ants choose their preferred warmth. They do not require hibernation or diapause, maintaining stable tropical temperatures year-round is best. Avoid temperatures below 20°C for extended periods as this can slow their metabolism and brood development. Room temperature in most homes (22-25°C) is usually suitable, but you may need to add gentle heating during cooler months.

Humidity and Water

C. excisus comes from tropical forests where humidity is moderate to high. Keep the nest substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged. A test tube setup with a water reservoir (the standard cotton-ball-in-water method) provides adequate humidity through evaporation. For formicaria, mist the nest occasionally and ensure the substrate has some moisture. They also need a constant water source, a shallow water dish or damp cotton ball. The key is balance: too dry and they desicate, too wet and you risk mold. Provide a humidity gradient so they can choose their preferred conditions.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

This is a calm, relatively non-aggressive species. Workers are small (3.3-4mm) but active and will readily explore their environment. They are arboreal by nature, so they climb well and prefer to travel along branches, twigs, and other elevated paths. They are not known for being particularly defensive or for stinging. Colonies grow at a moderate pace, expect several months from founding to the first workers (nanitics), then steady growth afterward. The colony will likely reach several hundred workers over time. Queens are long-lived, as is typical for Camponotus, so this can be a long-term colony if well cared for. ^[1][3]

Frequently Asked Questions

References