4–5 months during the winter. Colonies are slow to grow but when mature can exceed 7,000 workers in population. Mature colonies may also occupy numerous satellite nests over a wide area. Similar to C. herculeanus, C. ligniperda is an occasional pest of structures as it can excavate into and inhabit the wooden frameworks of homes and buildings, much to the dismay of property owners. Treatment usually involves insecticidal spraying of known nests, usage of poison baits or fixing sources of water leaks to prevent the softening of wood that makes it ideal for invasion by these ants. Reproduction C. ligniperda has its nuptial flights from late May to July. These large ants develop slowly with the first workers emerging 1.8 months or more after the first eggs were laid. References ligniperda Hymenoptera of Europe Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille Insects described in 1802