Cardiocondyla Emery

Ward, P. S., 2005, A synoptic review of the ants of California (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 936, pp. 1-68 : 31-32

Genus Cardiocondyla Emery

These minute ants are of Old World origin but several species have become widespread vagrants. Two of these occur in disturbed (mostly urban) habitats in California, where they nest in sidewalks and along roadways. Both are able to survive in sites invaded by the Argentine ant ( Linepithema humile ). The males of Cardiocondyla occur in two forms: dispersing winged males and wingless, worker­like (ergatoid) males that mate in the nest.

Species identification: keys in Seifert (2003). Additional references: Anderson et al. (2003), Creighton and Snelling (1974), Cremer and Heinze (2003), Gulmahamad (1997), Heinze (1999), Heinze and Hölldobler (1993B), Heinze et al. (2004), Kugler (1984), MacKay (1995), Snelling (1974).