Crematogaster depilis

This species nests at base of desert shrubs (Eriogonum, Larrea, Opuntia, Yucca, Dasylirion, Hamatocactus, Franseria, Ephedra) or in the branches of mesquite. Nests are occasionally found under stones or under cattle manure. Brood is present in nests in August and September. It is primarily an individual forager which collect nectar from flowers, or tends scale insects. They are often found foraging on cholla (Opuntia spp.), and occasionally on oaks. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Southern California and east to Texas, south to northern Mexico.

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



Habitat
Mackay and Mackay (2002) - Desert communities, except grasslands without shrubs, creosotebush scrub, mesquite forests, up into pinyon-juniper and oak woodlands (2100 meters elevation).

Biology
Nevada, Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - One nest was under a stone; for all other records (when data were given) the workers were at the base of desert plants (1 Eriogonum, 4 Larrea, 1 Opuntia, 1 Yucca).

Nomenclature

 *  depilis. Crematogaster opaca var. depilis Wheeler, W.M. 1919g: 111 (w.) U.S.A.
 * [First available use of Crematogaster lineolata subsp. opaca var. depilis Wheeler, W.M. 1908e: 478; unavailable name.]
 * Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973a: 28 (l.).
 * Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141.
 * Combination in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 93.
 * Subspecies of punctulata: Enzmann, J. 1946c: 93.
 * Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 209; Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 126.
 * Senior synonym of larreae: Junior synonym of depilis: Morgan & Mackay, 2017: 155.
 * larreae. Crematogaster (Crematogaster) larreae Buren, 1968b: 117 (w.q.m.) U.S.A.
 * Junior synonym of depilis: Morgan & Mackay, 2017: 155.

Crematogaster larreae
The type locality of this new species is El Paso, Tex., where it may be found commonly nesting in the lower stems and roots of the desert plant, Larrea divaricata Cav., growing on the compacted rocky aluvial washes surrounding the bases of the Franklin Mts. I have found C. larreae in numerous specimens of this plant on a number of occasions at El Paso and have taken males and females at lights in El Paso. I have also captured the species at Van Horn, Tex., 10 mi. E. of Gila Bend, Ariz., and at Yucca Grove, Calif., all of these specimens from lower stems and roots of Larrea. I have chosen a male taken with workers at El Paso to be the holotype and all the other specimens, including the winged forms at lights, are marked as paratypes.

Holotype and several paratypes of each sex will be deposited in the National Musem, but I will retain most of the paratypes.