Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Black Ants

The main difference between carpenter ants and black ants is that carpenter ants are bigger in size whereas black ants are three times smaller than the carpenter ants.

Carpenter ants and black ants are two types of household insects. Carpenter ants play a vital role in ecosystems by aiding the decomposition of decaying trees. Moreover, they may cause a significant structural damage to wood. Black ants are generally harmless.

Key Areas Covered

1. Carpenter Ants
     – Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. Black Ants
     – Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Carpenter Ants and Black Ants
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Black Ants
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Black Ants, Body Size, Carpenter Ants, Color, Nests

Carpenter Ants – Definition, Characteristics, Importance

Carpenter ants refer to the large ants that burrow into the wood to make nests. The color of the carpenter ants can be black, brown, red, or combination of these colors. They are the species of ants with the largest body size that can be reached up to one inch. The size of the colony of the carpenter ants ranges from 2,000 to 3,000. One of the most characteristic features of carpenter ants is their a heart-shaped head. 

Figure 1: Carpenter Ant

They excavate nests in wood in the form of smooth tunnels or galleries. This leaves small piles of sawdust. Generally, the nests can be found in roofs, porch pillars, windowsills, and dead trees. 

Black Ants – Definition, Characteristics, Importance

Black ants refer to the small ants that are black in color. The size of the body of a worker ant is 0.2 inches. The queen may reach up to 0.4 inches. The size of the colony can be around 15,000 ants. Black ants make their nests in the soil. They travel long distance searching for food.

Figure 2: Black Ants

Generally, black ants cause no harm to humans and they do not make nests inside the house. They only come into the house for food.

Similarities Between Carpenter Ants and Black Ants

• Carpenter ants and black ants are insects, a class of Arthropoda.
• Both of them belong to the family Formicidae.
• Both from colonies.
• The fertile males of ants are called drones while the fertile females are called queens.
• The sterile wingless females are called workers or soldiers.
• eat sweet, sugar, meat, and other insects.
• Destroying the nests is the easiest elimination method for both types of ants.

Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Black Ants

Definition

Carpenter Ants: Large ants that burrow into the wood to make nests

Black Ants: Small ants that are black in color

Significance

Carpenter Ants: Create colonies inside the house

Black Ants: Go inside houses to search for food

Found In

Carpenter Ants: Found in North America

Black Ants: Found in Europe, North America, and Asia

Body Color

Carpenter Ants: Black, brown or red

Black Ants: Black

Size

Carpenter Ants: ¼ or ½ inch in size

Black Ants: 0.2 inches in size

Thorax

Carpenter Ants: Smooth, rounded thorax

Black Ants: Rigged thorax

Nests

Carpenter Ants: Create nests in moist wood

Black Ants: Nets are large, domed-shaped mounds

Conclusion

Carpenter ants are large and black ants are comparatively small. Carpenter ants have black, brown or red bodies while black ants have black bodies. The major issue with carpenter ants is that they make their nests inside household wood by excavating them. The main difference between carpenter ants and black ants is the size of the body.

Reference:

1. “Carpenter Ants (Department of Entomology).” Department of Entomology (Penn State University) via Available Here
2. “Little Black Ants| Little Black Ant Control | TERRO®.” Terro.com via Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Camponotus sideview” By Richard Bartz, Munich Makro Freak – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
1. “Black-ants” By Rakeshkdogra – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia