Cyphomyrmex Mayr

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 32

Genus Cyphomyrmex Mayr

There are two species of Cyphomyrmex recorded from California, both ground-nesting and infrequently encountered. These fungus-growing ants collect caterpillar frass and other organic matter, on which they cultivate fungal mycelia or (in some species) yeasts.

Species identification: keys in Snelling and Longino (1992). Additional references: De Andrade (2003), Kempf (1964d, 1966), Schultz et al. (2002), Weber (1972).