Camponotus niveosetosus, commonly known as the hairy sugar ant, is one of the smaller species of sugar ant. It is native to an extensive region in the eastern Afrotropics.
| Hairy sugar ant | |
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| Visiting a Watsonia flower | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Genus: | Camponotus |
| Species: | C. niveosetosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Camponotus niveosetosus Mayr, 1862
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Description edit
They are dark grey to black in colour, with tellingly, copious stiff, almost snow-white hairs on the thorax and gaster.[1] The antennae and tarsi are ferruginous, and the mandibles dark castaneous red.[2] In addition to the thick and blunt white pilosity it is covered with a more yellowish, short and fine, decumbent pubescence.[2]
Range and habitat edit
They are found from Kenya to South Africa in a variety of habitats.[3][4] Only arid regions seem to be avoided. They are found in gardens, fynbos, grassland, savanna and various types of woodland, from the intertidal zone[5] at sea level to middle altitudes.[4]
Subspecies edit
Three subspecies are recognized:[4]
- Camponotus niveosetosus niveosetosus – continental Africa, type from South Africa
- Camponotus niveosetosus irredux Forel, 1910 – continental Africa, type from South Africa
- Camponotus niveosetosus madagascarensis Forel, 1886 – Madagascar
References edit
- ^ Slingsby, Peter. "Camponotus species: Sugar ants". Ants of the Western Cape. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ a b Arnold, G. (1922). "A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part V. Myrmicinae". Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 14: 579–674 (cf. p. 659).
- ^ "Camponotus niveosetosus". AntWiki. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ a b c "Species: Camponotus niveosetosus Mayr, 1862". AntWeb v5.38.1. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ Slingsby, Peter. "Ants in the littoral (observation)". ispot. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
External links edit
Media related to Camponotus niveosetosus at Wikimedia Commons
