Emplastus hypolithus

Introduction

Emplastus hypolithus is an extinct ant species known only from fossil specimens preserved in the Late Eocene Insect Limestone of the Isle of Wight, UK . Originally described in 1915 by Cockerell as Ponera hypolitha based on wing fossils, it has since been reclassified through several genera before being placed in Emplastus in 2014 . Males measured approximately 6.5mm in body length with forewings of 5-6mm, showing typical Dolichoderinae wing venation patterns . This species represents a fascinating window into ancient ant diversity but cannot be kept in captivity as no living specimens exist.