Are winged ants carpenter ants?
Maybe. Winged ants are the reproductive phase in all ant species, not just carpenter ants. The presence of winged ants indicates that colonies are mature and attempting to expand. Mating flights of these winged ants (called swarms) usually do not result in the establishment of successful new colonies. Most winged ants die within hours of leaving their nest. If you see big black winged ants on the West Coast, they are likely carpenter ants. Camponotus modoc is the largest and most prevalent carpenter ant species in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. The winged female of this species is the largest winged ant we encounter. However, size and color are not definitive. There are 10 different species of carpenter ants and many others here on the West Coast. Carpenter ants are polymorphic (they have 3 sizes of workers and 2 sizes of reproductives), they are a variety of colors and can often resemble many other ant species.
