Scientific illustration of Emplastus macrops ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Fossil Emplastus macrops

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Emplastus macrops
Subfamily
Dolichoderinae
Author
Dlussky <i>et al.</i>, 2015
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Emplastus macrops is an extinct ant species from the Late Eocene period, approximately 44-49 million years ago. The species was discovered in fossilized amber from the Bol'shaya Svetlovodnaya site in the Sikhote-Alin region of the Russian Far East. What makes this species distinctive is its remarkably large eyes - so prominent that the species name 'macrops' literally means 'with large eyes' in Latin. The males measured around 5mm in total body length, with eyes so large they occupied most of the head's sides. This is a true fossil species that no longer exists on Earth - there are no living colonies, and it cannot be kept as a pet.

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
2000 - 2026
Fossil

No caresheet needed

Emplastus macrops is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.