Camponotus planatus is a relatively small (3–6 mm) polymorphic species. It is a dull reddish brown with a contrasting black gaster and is covered with short, stiff, whitish yellow hairs on the dorsal surfaces of the head, mesosoma and gaster. The species is native to the Neotropics, and has established introduced populations in the Southeastern United States. It is uncertain whether the population in Cuba (the type locality) is native or introduced. Although not considered a significant pest species (Klotz et al., 1995; Warner & Scheffrahn, 2005), there are some concerns that C. planatus exerts ecological pressures on native ants in the Florida Keys (Deyrup et al., 2000). The recent discovery in Mississippi (MacGown, 2010)and interception records of the species in the United States and Netherlands (Boer & Vierbergen, 2008)are evidence of its capacity for inadvertent introduction.
The native range of Camponotus planatus reaches from Colombia to northern Mexico (Alatorre-Bracamontes & Vásquez-Bolaños, 2010; Rodríguez Garza, 1986). It is likely that the Texas population (Breene et al., 1993; Wheeler & Wheeler, 1985)is a natural extension of its native range. The species is cited as occurring in Hawaii (MacGown, 2010), but it is not believed to have ever established there (Krushelnycky et al., 2005).
The Florida Keys population was also considered native from the time it first appeared on a species list (Wheeler, 1932)until Deyrup (1991)changed its status to introduced, arguing that if it had been established in the Keys for thousands of years, it would have almost certainly become widely distributed through suitable habitats in south Florida. It is speculated that, in Florida, C. planatus is probably a significant competitor of native ants and other insects that live in wood, and its activities as a predator and a guard of sap-sucking insects should also have ecological importance (Deyrup et al., 2000). The interception records of the species in the United States and Netherlands (Boer & Vierbergen, 2008)are evidence of its capacity for inadvertent introduction.
Camponotus planatus was discovered in Mississippi in 2009 at a nursery specializing in palms, many of which were imported from Florida (MacGown, 2010). MacGown described the species as fast moving and difficult to collect, and presumed it was nesting in the upper parts of the palms.
In Costa Rica, Jack Longino describes the species as ubiquitous in lowland sites where it occurs in both disturbed habitats and mature forests. He has observed dead wood cavity nests in upper forest canopy, open scrubby or second growth vegetation, roadsides, and agricultural land. In Florida, C. planatus nests in hollow twigs, old termite galleries in dead wood, and occasionally in grass culms, and is the dominant ant of state’s tropical hammocks (Deyrup et al., 1988). It forages diurnally in dispersed trails or singly on trees, bushes, along sidewalks, through lawns and exteriors of structures (Warner & Scheffrahn, 2005). The species has also been documented as exhibiting polygyny (Carlin et al., 1993).
It is speculated that, in Florida, C. planatus is probably a significant competitor of native ants and other insects that live in wood, and its activities as a predator and a guard of sap-sucking insects should also have ecological importance (Deyrup et al., 2000).
Diagnosis of worker among Antkey species. Worker caste polymorphic. Antenna 12-segmented. Antennal club indistinct; lacking hairs that are longer than the width of the scape. Scape length less than 1.5x head length. Eyes medium to large (greater than 6 facets). Antennal sockets and posterior clypeal margin separated by a distance equal to or greater than the minimum width of antennal scape. Head length longer than head width. Dorsum of mesosoma lacking impression such that entire mesosomal dorsal profile forms an unbroken, convex curve. Promesonotum evenly convex, not separated from propodeum by metanotal groove. Propodeum and petiolar node both lacking a pair of short teeth. Propodeum lacking posteriorly projecting protrusion. Metapleuron lacking a distinct gland orifice. Waist 1-segmented. Petiole upright and not appearing flattened. Gaster armed with acidopore. Distinct constriction not visible between abdominal segments 3+4. Erect hairs abundant on head, mesosoma and gaster. Color dull reddish to reddish brown with a contrasting black gaster.
Camponotus planatus is diagnosed from other members of the genus introduced or commonly intercepted in the United States by the following characters: (1) metanotal groove not distinctly impressed (versus C. sexguttatus); (2) long erect hairs abundant on head, mesosoma and gaster (versus absent in C. rectangularis and C. variegatus); (3) erect hairs thick and stiff (versus fine and flexuous in C. atriceps); (4) erect scape hairs shorter than scape width (versus longer in C. atriceps); (5) gaster concolorous black (versus variegated in C. variegatus).
Native range. Neotropics from Colombia to northern Mexico and southern Texas. Cuba.
Introduced range. Florida; Mississippi (Hancock Co.).
Intercept records: USA, Netherlands.
Native range. Neotropics from Colombia to northern Mexico and southern Texas. Cuba.
Introduced range. Florida; Mississippi (Hancock Co.).
Intercept records: USA, Netherlands.