Ant keepers enjoy a fun and educational hobby, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also has an interest in it. You might wonder what ant keeping has to do with American agriculture and natural resources. Some invertebrates that people—including ant keepers—import into the U.S. or move between states could threaten our crops, forests, and community landscapes if they escape. USDA can help you import and move them safely.

Ranging from Florida and Maine in the east, all the way to New Mexico and North Dakota in the west, Camponotus pennsylvanicus is one of the most recognizable and quintessential ant species in North America. Commonly known as the "Black Carpenter Ant," it may be surprising to learn that Camponotus pennsylvanicus — and other Camponotus for that matter — don't eat wood.

Diapause, often referred to as hibernation, is how ants in temperate climates survive the cold winter months. Typically, this occurs from November to March in captivity, but it can be longer or shorter depending on the species. In some cases, they will curl up and appear to be dead, while many species will simply stand still and remain motionless.