Camponotus laevissimus, also known as the Glacial Carpenter Ant, is native to western Canada, the United States, and Mexico. These ants have shiny black bodies with a blue tint and measure between 7 and 13 millimetres in length. They primarily nest in redwoods and other decaying wood and play a crucial role in decomposition.
 
By nature, these ants are diurnal. They forage during the day and feed on the pupae of the western spruce budworm. They are not considered structural pests but are important for nutrient recycling in their ecosystems.
 
These ants form large colonies, with nests often found in rotten logs and stumps. They are active foragers and exhibit interesting nesting behaviours, such as methodically excavating wood and managing their nests. Despite their ecological benefits, they can occasionally be found in urban areas but typically do not cause significant damage.
 
Camponotus laevissimus is the only North American species where the majors, minors, females, and males are shiny black and have short, bristly setae on the antennal scapes, making it easily distinguishable from all other species.