Pine Tree Ants nesting in styrofoam packing material

A resident in Columbia Mobile Park had a storage shed adjacent to her home, and adjacent to the shed was a large ponderosa pine. There was a toaster oven box, containing the packing styrofoam, still in it.

Pine tree ants had moved a small satellite colony into the box, and were excavating a nesting site in the styrofoam block. Photos below.

Sample brought in to the office by Ryder Richards.

 

Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant
Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant
Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant
Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant
Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant
Styrofoam carton nest by Liometopum luctuosum, the pine tree ant