Crematogaster californica

Mackay and Mackay (2002) - Nests are found at the bases of plants and in chollas (although Buren [1968] stated that it did not nest in cactus), or under stones (one nest at high elevation was under a log). Brood was found in nests in March. This ant tends coccids and aphids. One colony was nesting together with a species of Camponotus. (Mallis, 1941; Wheeler and Wheeler, 1973)

Distribution
Southern California, Baja California and New Mexico.

This taxon was described from U.S.A.

Habitat
Arid areas, including grasslands (grama) and desert scrub (creosote) up to pinyon-juniper forests, Chihuahua pine and oak forests up to 2350 meters elevation. One nest was in a ponderosa pine, Douglas fir forest, but this is an unusual habitat for this species. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Nomenclature

 *  californica. Crematogaster laeviuscula var. californica Wheeler, W.M. 1919g: 111 (w.) U.S.A. [First available use of Crematogaster lineolata subsp. laeviuscula var. californica Emery, 1895c: 285; unavailable name.] Combination in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 94. Subspecies of lineolata: Wheeler, W.M. 1934f: 135. Junior synonym of coarctata: Creighton, 1950a: 207. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Smith, M.R. 1951a: 808; Buren, 1968b: 94 (in key).