About Camponotus rufipes (Fabricius, 1775)
Camponotus rufipes (Fabricius, 1775) is a dark-brown ant species with reddish-yellow legs and a body covered in fine reddish hairs. Workers of this species measure approximately 6 mm in length. This species is nocturnal. Its workers attack beehives, and build ground nests shaped like mounds of dry grass, with diameters of roughly 20–30 cm. C. rufipes is very common in Southeastern Brazil, and is highly aggressive. When it bites, it delivers painful bites accompanied by venom secretion at the bite site, which can cause mild burning sensations. This ant species lacks a stinger, and its venom is primarily composed of formic acid. This species is still poorly studied, with only limited research available on its general biology. Males of C. rufipes go through four larval stages, which feature various types of hairs that play a role in the species’ life cycle.
