Carpenter ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna of South Carolina

In a statewide survey using four different methods, 10 species of carpenter ants were recorded from South Carolina. Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGeer) and Camponotus decipiens Emery were encountered most frequently. They were recorded in 19 of the 46 South Carolina counties. Camponotus americanus Mayr, Camponotus chromaiodes (Bolton), and Camponotus nearcticus Emery were recorded in 12, 11, and 9 counties, respectively. Camponotus floridanus (Buckley) was found in only four counties, all of which were along the southern coastal area of South Carolina. Camponotus castaneus (Latreille) was found in three counties, showing no proclivity toward any one area of the state. Camponotus caryae (Fitch), Camponotus discolor (Buckley), and Camponotus snellingi Bolton each were found in one county.