Camponotus fulvopilosus, Yellow-haired sugar ant

Camponotus fulvopilosus, commonly known as yellow-haired sugar ants or “bal-byters” in Afrikaans. (Family Formicidae, Ants)

These ants are widely distributed in arid regions of southern Africa and are usually found in rocky habitat where they nest under large rocks, fallen trees and bushes.

Worker ants of this species have venom glands with which they spray attackers with formic acid by tucking the abdomen forwards under the thorax. They feed on insects and honeydew produced by aphids.

Photographed in Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, August 2019

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