Are All Black Ants Carpenter Ants? Exploring The Differences

What distinguishes carpenter ants from regular black ants? Carpenter ants are generally larger, with worker ants typically ranging from 6 to 13 mm in length. In terms of appearance, they are commonly black or red, possess a segmented body, and exhibit a distinctive waist. Notably, carpenter ants have prominent mandibles that they employ for gnawing through wood and various other materials. This ability to excavate wood sets them apart from other ant species and makes them significant contributors to structural damage in buildings and wooden structures.

The black garden ant, scientifically named Lasius niger and commonly referred to as the common black ant, belongs to the formicine ant family. It serves as the type species for the subgenus Lasius. These ants are primarily distributed throughout Europe, but they can also be found in select regions of North America, South America, Asia, and Australasia. So, when we ask, “What kind of ant is black?” we are referring to the Lasius niger, or common black ant, which is a widespread species with a global presence across multiple continents.