[1][2] Camponotus vagus is a relatively distinctive species that is easily identified by its large size, uniform black colour, and the long and dense body "hairs" on its exoskeleton.

A eusocial insect, individuals have continuous allometric variation in size and morphology to facilitate task allocation and partitioning of work.

[3] C. vagus is known to be both carnivorous and aphidicolous (living in a mutualistic relationship with aphids and feeding upon the honeydew these smaller insects release from the terminations of their alimentary canals).

[1][4] This species is especially prevalent in central Europe but has an overall range from southern Scandinavia to north-western Africa and from Portugal to Altai, Mongolia.

[1] C. vagus most typically builds its nests in dead wood, but colonies can also be founded under stones.

Senior synonym of pubescens: Olivier, 1792: 492; Emery, 1891b: 20; Forel, 1892i: 306; of fuscoptera: Latreille, 1802c: 96; of kodorica: Radchenko, 1997a: 558.