Spread of Camponotus novogranadensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a non-native carpenter ant in Florida

The New World carpenter ant Camponotus novogranadensis Mayr has a broad, apparently continuous range, extending from subtropical Brazil (29.8 degrees S) to central Mexico (similar to 23.7 degrees N). In 2012, a non-native population of C. novogranadensis was discovered in southwestern Florida. Here, I examine the ecology and geographic distribution of C. novogranadensis, and report additional records of C. novogranadensis in Florida. I documented C. novogranadensis at five sites in southwestern Florida from Estero to Fort Myers in Lee County (26.4 degrees-26.5 degrees N) and at nine sites in southeastern Florida ranging Delray Beach to Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County (26.4 degrees-26.5 degrees N). Although I found two well-established populations of C. novogranadensis at the same latitudes in southwestern and southeastern Florida, I did not find this species anywhere in the >150 km between. It is likely that C. novogranadensis will continue to spread in Florida, possibly impacting native ants.