Camponotus castaneus, commonly known as the Red Hazelnut Carpenter ant, is a large and visually striking species native to the eastern United States. Known for its rich reddish-chestnut colour and glossy, almost metallic sheen, it is one of the more distinctive Camponotus species available.
Queens reach an impressive 17–18 mm, while workers range from 6–11 mm, with majors growing up to 15 mm. Workers display a warm golden-red tone with darker heads and gasters, all sharing a smooth, polished appearance.
Unlike many carpenter ants, this species is strictly ground-nesting, typically found beneath stones, logs, or within soil in forests and woodland edges. They prefer slightly moist, shaded environments with access to open foraging areas.
Colony founding is relatively slow, with the queen raising her first workers alone over several months. Once established, growth becomes much faster, with mature colonies reaching around 1,000–1,500 workers.
C. castaneus is generally non-aggressive but will defend itself if disturbed. They forage mostly at night or during cooler periods, feeding on both sugary liquids (nectar, honeydew) and protein sources such as insects. In the wild, they contribute to soil aeration and ecosystem balance through their foraging activity.
Keeping difficulty: Easy (Kept one or two species)
Colony form: Monogynous (single queen)
Queen size: 17–18 mm (rich reddish-chestnut, glossy)
Worker’s size: 6–11 mm (majors up to 15 mm, golden/red with darker head and gaster)
Food: Sugary liquids (honey water, nectar) and protein (insects, arthropods)
Temp: 24–28°C
Humidity: 40–60% with access to moist areas
Founding: Claustral (slow initial development)
Colony size: 1,000–1,500 workers
Hibernation: 2–3 months (10–15°C)
What you will get in addition to your colony:
1x protein shake 
1x pipette 
1x care sheet (available on our care-sheet page) 
Live arrival guarantee:
We guarantee the live arrival of your queen. All colonies are securely packed in padded jiffy bags with additional bubble wrap around test tubes.
We also offer an additional 14-day guarantee (if kept in the original test tube), reflecting our confidence in colony health, packaging, and care guidance.
Photographic evidence of the queen in the original test tube is required to validate any claim. Moving the colony out of the test tube voids the extended guarantee.
Important information:
It is illegal to release non-native ants into the wild—this can harm local ecosystems. 
Contact us within 24–48 hours with photo evidence if a queen arrives deceased. 
Do not transfer a dead colony to a nest, as this voids the guarantee. 
For the 14-day guarantee, the colony must remain in the original test tube with proper care followed.
Once transferred to a nest, responsibility shifts to the buyer. Most colony losses are due to incorrect conditions (water, food, temperature, airflow, stress, or light exposure).
If issues occur, we can advise—but successful keeping depends on proper setup and research.