Crematogaster lineolata

Nests under logs and in stumps. Their diet includes dead insects and liquids collected from tended Homoptera, with a decided preference for those kept on plant roots. Crematogaster lineolata is aggressive and can have an annoying bite. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
The workers of this species have numerous hairs on the pronotum, at least two on the mesonotum and usually at least two on the propodeum or propodeal spines. The side of the mesosoma is roughly sculptured with striae and punctures, most surfaces are dull, although the central region of the side of the pronotum may be weakly shining (but still is sculptured). The top of the mesosoma is roughly sculptured with striae/rugae and scattered punctures. The sides or the head are roughly sculptured with striae and scattered punctures, the central region is partially smooth, although is only moderately shining. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Key to Crematogaster of the eastern United States

Distribution
Eastern United States, west to Colorado and Texas, south into Mexico.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Habitat
Oak woodland, deciduous forest and grasslands.

Biology


Nest under rotting branch on ground in open white oak woodland - Lincoln Co., Missouri, United States (James Trager).

Nomenclature

 *  lineolata. Myrmica lineolata Say, 1836: 290 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952b: 250 (l.). Combination in Crematogaster: Roger, 1863b: 37; in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141; in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 93. Senior synonym of columbiana, marylandica, novaeboracensis: Mayr, 1886d: 462; of punctulata, subopaca: Johnson, C. 1988: 319, 320. Material of the unavailable name lutescens referred here by Creighton, 1950a: 213; of the unavailable name wheldeni referred here by Brown, 1949a: 48. See also: Emery, 1895c: 281.
 * columbiana. Myrmica (Monomorium) columbiana Buckley, 1867: 340 (w.q.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of lineolata: Mayr, 1886d: 462.
 * marylandica. Myrmica (Monomorium) marylandica Buckley, 1867: 339 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of lineolata: Mayr, 1886d: 462.
 * novaeboracensis. Myrmica novaeboracensis Buckley, 1867: 337 (q.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of lineolata: Mayr, 1886d: 462.
 * punctulata. Crematogaster punctulata Emery, 1895c: 287 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141; in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 92. Subspecies of opaca: Wheeler, W.M. 1919g: 111; of lineolata: Creighton, 1950a: 214. Revived status as species: Enzmann, J. 1946c: 93; Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 127. Senior synonym of texana: Creighton, 1950a: 214. Junior synonym of lineolata: Johnson, C. 1988: 319.
 * subopaca. Crematogaster lineolata var. subopaca Emery, 1895c: 283 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C, & Wheeler, J. 1952b: 252 (l.). Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141. Subspecies of lineolata: Creighton, 1950a: 214; Gregg, 1963: 360. Junior synonym of punctulata: Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 127; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1380; of lineolata: Johnson, C. 1988: 320.
 * texana. Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) opaca var. texana Santschi, 1929f: 91 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of punctulata: Creighton, 1950a: 214.