Key to West European Crematogaster species

This key is based on specimens and was initially created by Xavier Espadaler and Kiko Gómez for www.hormigas.org. Has been modified to add Crematogaster schmidti

1

 * Petiolar node in dorsal view with subparallel sides, slightly widening backwards. Length < 3 mm (Subgenus Orthocrema) …..Crematogaster sordidula


 * Petiolar node in dorsal view clearly narrowing backwards. Length 3,2 - 5 mm (Subgenus Crematogaster) .....2

2
return to couplet .....1


 * Propodeum unarmed Crematogaster inermis


 * Propodeum with teeth or spines .....3

3
return to couplet .....2
 * Head, and usually part of mesosoma reddish Crematogaster scutellaris


 * Unicolorous body .....4

4
return to couplet .....3
 * Spines very short, triangular (NOTE: The C. fuentei drawing is the only one we have noticed, from the original Menozzi description in 1922. It hasn't been captured since then). …..Crematogaster fuentei


 * Spines clearly visible ….......5

5
return to couplet .....4
 * Colour yellow to bright brown. Pronotum strongly sculptured …..Crematogaster schmidti


 * Colour dark brown to black. Pronotum smooth to very slightly sculptured ….......6

6
return to couplet .....5
 * Subcylindrical and slender spines, much longer than base width. Some quetae in the first gastral tergite. Brown to dark brown …..Crematogaster auberti
 * Short and triangular spines, slightly curved, with length comparable to base width. Several quetae present on first gastral tergite. Black …..Crematogaster laestrygon