Emplastus antiquus

Introduction

Emplastus antiquus is an extinct ant species that lived during the Early Miocene epoch, approximately 11-16 million years ago. The only known fossils come from the Radoboj deposits in Croatia, where they were preserved in fine-grained sediment . This species belongs to the subfamily Dolichoderinae, making it distantly related to modern ants like Tapinoma and Linepithema. Queens measured 5-6 mm in body length, and the species showed a distinctive concave occipital margin on the head that helps distinguish it from other Emplastus species . The forewings were notably longer than the body, a characteristic often seen in ant species that disperse through nuptial flights . This species represents a window into Miocene-era ecosystems and cannot be kept in captivity. If you're interested in similar-looking living ants, the Dolichoderinae subfamily includes many common species that are smaller and more compact, such as Argentine ants or odorous house ants.