a large black ant (Campontus sp.) that tunnels in dead wood including dead trees, utility poles, and structural timber —note 1. these social insects excavate large cavities in which the colony, consisting of thousands of individuals, lives and rears its young —note 2. carpenter ants do not eat wood but remove it to form galleries that serve as a nest, causing damage termed honeycomb wood-boring damage —note 3. carpenter ants feed on other insects, aphid honeydew, and a variety of organic liquids and materials This definition last updated 10/25/2008