The Ants of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
The Golden Leptothorax - (Leptothorax nitens) - native

Description
This species can be recognized by the following characteristics:

• 2-2.25mm total body length.
• Pale yellow body with head and abdomen shiny and thorax dull.
• Basal segment of antennae is shorter than the head.
• Body with a few scattered yellow hairs.

Distribution
This ant species is found in the western United States. Within California there aren't many published records of Leptothorax nitens but it has been previously reported from both the Sierra Nevada and the coast ranges.

Ecology
Again, little has been published on the habits of Leptothorax nitens. We found the species in Sycamore/Oak woodland, under bushes, up in both Sycamore and Oak treeholes, in the leaf litter at the bases of these trees.