Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Formica novaeboracensis Fitch 1855
Spellings "novae-" and "nove-" are both seen. Under the rules of nomeclature they are considered homonyms and the original spelling should be retained, thus novaeboracensis
Explanation of Names
Specific name is Latin for "from New York."
Identification
Relatively shiny, large carpenter ant worker with distinctly red mesosoma is unique over most of its range. In the western part, where it overlaps with C. vicinus, the unkeeled clypeus and relatively shorter limbs are technical characters to distinguish C. novaeboracensis.
Males are black and difficult to distinguish from related species.
"Color pattern of the mesosoma (apparent thorax), namely the contrast between shining black mesoscutellum and mainly red reminder, is typical for reproductive females of this widespread eastern Carpenter Ant species." -- Richard Vernier
Habitat
Wet wooded areas, bogs, edges of wetlands.
Remarks
Colony enters diapause in the winter.
See Also
Easily distinguished from its relative Camponotus pennsylvanicus by the red thorax.
C. chromaiodes has a generally similar black-red-black color pattern that differs in detail.
