Carpenter Ants of the United States and Canada

Abstract

This book consolidates much of the literature on the important pest and other species in the genus Camponotus. It is clearly written and liberally illustrated, covering topics ranging from basic biology to pest management. Chapter 1 on Camponotus spp. ecology provides relatively short descriptions of nesting sites, and interactions with Formica spp., birds, and homopterans, with somewhat greater attention to instances of myrmecophily. I would havewelcomed an attempt by the authors to integrate these largely scattered descriptive accountswithin the broader context of forest ecosystem energetics. Those appreciating the Þne detail ofCamponotus spp. external and internalmorphology will enjoy the next chapter; the illustrations here are excellent. Research entomologists, extension specialists, and pest control practitioners should Þnd the chapter on taxonomy and distribution useful. It provides geographic ranges anddistinctivemorphological and behavioral traits of North American species, with an illustrated key and detailed descriptions of structural pests. Chapters 4 and 5 provide important life history details emphasizing the phenology and foraging behavior of the two best-studied urban species, C. modoc and C. pennsylvanicus. I was disappointed that the book provided no discussion of Camponotus spp. nestmate and kin recognition, which has been described in excellent articles by Carlin and Holldobler (1986), Boulay et al. (2000), and others. Pest management professionals (PMPs), in particular, will Þnd the chapter on economic importance andmanagementuseful.Typesofdamage tobuildings, otherproperty, and timber arecarefullydescribedand nicely photographed. A detailed homeowner questionnaire is provided for PMPs to assess the location and extent of a carpenter ant infestation. Also, the major prevailing strategies used in carpenter ant control (chemical and cultural) are discussed. Overall, I would recommend this book for those looking for a basic overview of carpenter ant biology and management as well as for researchers wanting access to a fairly good review of carpenter ant primary literature.