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)

Identification
Key to western US Crematogaster

Distribution
Southern California, Nevada, Baja California and New Mexico.

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

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)

Biology
Nevada, Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - We have 6 records from 5 localities; all in the Hot Desert (1 in a Sarcobatus Subclimax); 2 were nesting under desert pavement; 1 was in the base of an Atriplex plant; 1 in a sand dune under a large horizontal stem of an old larrea.

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).