Shimmering Golden Sugar Ant (Camponotus sericeiventris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Camponotus ("bend back") sericeiventris

 

Shimmering Golden Sugar Ant (Camponotus sericeiventris) at Alajuela. Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 15-16.5mm (worker) 17-19mm (Queen)  /  Wingspan: 35mm (Queen)
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large, distinctively golden species of ant found from the Texas border to Southern Brazil. They make their nests inside trees. They are suject to a "zombie ant fungus" Ophiocordyceps unilateralis although are generally considered disease resistant due to self-grooming.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Genus: Camponotus
SUBSPECIES: C. s. holmgreni, C. s. otoquensis, C. s. pontifex, C. s. Rex, C. s. satrapus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

A common resident.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto