Crematogaster laeviuscula

This species nests in wood, or under bark of dead logs (cottonwood), or in oak galls of the wasp Holcaspis cinerosus. Sexuals occur in nests in August. These ants are more aggressive than is typical for North American Crematogaster. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
The workers of this species are predominantly shiny, specifically the head and side of the pronotum are shiny and glossy, the top of the pronotum is shiny, but finely sculptured. The mesopleuron and the sides of the propodeum are punctate or finely striate. The propodeal spines are well developed and long. It is generally light colored, with a pale reddish-yellow head and mesosoma and a darker gaster. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Central United States and south into Mexico.

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

Habitat
Riparian Forest.

Nomenclature

 * arborea. Oecodoma (Atta) arborea Buckley, 1867: 349 (w.q.) U.S.A. [Unresolved junior secondary homonym of arboreus Smith, F. above.] Junior synonym of lineolata: McCook, 1880: 187; Dalla Torre, 1893: 83; of laeviuscula: Smith, M.R. 1951a: 809; Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 126.
 * bicolor. Oecodoma (Atta) bicolor Buckley, 1867: 350 (w.) U.S.A. [Junior secondary homonym of bicolor Smith, above.] Senior synonym of clara: McCook, 1880: 188; Mayr, 1886d: 463 [clara oldest synonym and hence first available replacement name.]
 * clara. Crematogaster clara Mayr, 1870b: 993 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1908e: 481 (q.m.). Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141; in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 92. Junior synonym of bicolor Buckley (junior homonym): McCook, 1880: 188; Mayr, 1886d: 463 and hence first available replacement name. Subspecies of laeviuscula: Dalla Torre, 1893: 83; Wheeler, W.M. 1919g: 111; Enzmann, J. 1946c: 93. Junior synonym of laeviuscula: Creighton, 1950a: 210. Revived from synonymy and revived status as species: Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 126; Buren, 1968b: 92 (in key); Smith, D.R. 1979: 1378. Junior synonym of laeviuscula: Johnson, C. 1988: 322.
 *  laeviuscula. Crematogaster laeviuscula Mayr, 1870b: 993 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1908e: 480 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952b: 255 (l.); Petralia & Vinson, 1980: 383 (l.). Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 141; in C. (Crematogaster): Buren, 1968b: 92. Subspecies of lineolata: Emery, 1895c: 284; Wheeler, W.M. 1904e: 301; Emery, 1922e: 141. Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1919g: 111; Creighton, 1950a: 210. Senior synonym of clara: Mayr, 1886d: 463; Creighton, 1950a: 210; Johnson, C. 1988: 322; of arborea: Smith, M.R. 1951a: 809 (provisional); Buren, in Smith, M.R. 1958c: 126.
 * decolorata. Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) castanea var. decolorata Santschi, 1926b: 213 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of arborea: Santschi, 1930b: 69.