The Banded Sugar Ant (Camponotus consobrinus), commonly referred to as the Sugar Ant, is a species native to Australia. Recognized for its striking appearance, the ant features a distinctive orange-brown band around its gaster. These ants are named for their attraction to sugary substances and are predominantly nocturnal. They play a significant role in their ecosystems, particularly in forested and woodland areas, and are also known to forage in urban environments.
Camponotus consobrinus
Habitat & Distribution
Camponotus consobrinus is widely distributed across Australia, particularly in the southeast. They inhabit various environments including eucalypt forests, dry sclerophyll woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas. Their nests are typically found under stones, within tufts of grass, or in soil, and are often located in open, mesic habitats. These ants prefer to build their nests in well-drained, sandy-loam soils, and can also occupy pre-existing cavities in wood or beneath paving stones.Behavior & Ecology
Banded sugar ants are mostly active during the night, although they can also be seen foraging during the day. They exhibit a fascinating behavior known as tandem running, where worker ants follow a lead ant closely to a food source. They are known for tending aphids and other Hemipterans, feeding on the honeydew they secrete. In the wild, these ants face competition from other ant species, such as meat ants, and are preyed upon by birds and echidnas. In response to threats, they use their mandibles and can spray formic acid as a defense mechanism.Diet
These ants are omnivorous, with a diet primarily consisting of sugary substances and honeydew from aphids. They also consume a variety of insects, which they hunt using their strong mandibles and formic acid spray. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of sugar water, honey, and fresh-killed insects.Life Cycle & Reproduction
Banded sugar ant colonies are usually monogynous, with a single queen. However, some colonies may contain multiple queens. The ants undergo complete metamorphosis, with eggs developing into larvae, pupae, and finally adult ants. The colony can grow to a substantial size, with up to 10,000 workers.
