Which ant is typically found nesting in trees and has a unique velvet-like appearance?

The ant known for nesting in trees and exhibiting a unique velvet-like appearance is the Velvet tree ant. This species, also referred to as the "velvet ant," is distinguished by its dense, velvety body covering, which gives it a distinctive texture compared to other ants. Their nesting behavior often involves tree cavities, which plays a crucial role in their ecosystem as they can contribute to the decomposition of wood.

Carpenter ants, while also known to nest in trees, do not possess the same velvety texture and have a different nesting behavior, often creating tunnels in wood rather than just occupying pre-existing cavities. Ghost ants and thief ants have different ecological habits and physical characteristics that do not match the velvet-like appearance or tree-nesting preference of the Velvet tree ant.