Temnothorax Mayr, 1861

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 37

Genus Temnothorax Mayr

Most of the California species formerly placed in Leptothorax have now been assigned to Temnothorax (Bolton 2003). With at least twenty species in California, this is a diverse group showing wide variation in habitat and nest-site preferences. About a third of the species are arboreal. Most species appear to be generalist scavengers.

Species identification: keys in Wheeler and Wheeler (1986g) and Mackay (2000), in conjunction with the new synonymy introduced here (see above under “Taxonomic Changes”) and images on AntWeb. Additional references: Bolton (2003), Cole (1958c), Creighton (1950a), Deyrup and Cover (2004), Douwes and Stille (1987), Möglich (1979), Smith (1949e), Wheeler (1903d).