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

Formica lavateri

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Formica lavateri
Tribe
Formicini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Heer, 1849
Incertae Sedis
Incertae Sedis in Genus
Distribution
Found in 1 countries

Introduction

Formica lavateri is an extinct ant species known only from fossil imprints preserved in Miocene deposits. The species was originally described by Oswald Heer in 1849 based on eight specimens found in the Oeningen formation in Switzerland, with additional material from Radoboj in Croatia . These fossil ants provide valuable information about ancient insect faunas but cannot be kept in captivity as they existed millions of years ago and are long extinct.

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

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: N/A, Extinct species
  • Origin & Habitat: Miocene deposits in Europe, specifically known from Oeningen, Switzerland and Radoboj, Croatia [1]
  • Colony Type: Extinct species, colony structure unknown
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Approximately 4.5 lines total length (fossil measurement, roughly 9.5-10 mm) [1]
    • Worker: Unknown, only queen caste fossilized
    • Colony: Unknown
    • Growth: N/A
    • Development: N/A (Extinct species, no living specimens exist)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: N/A
    • Humidity: N/A
    • Diapause: N/A
    • Nesting: N/A
  • Behavior: N/A, extinct species known only from fossil remains

Important Notice

Formica lavateri is a fossil species that lived during the Miocene epoch. This ant is extinct and only known from fossil imprints preserved in sedimentary rock. There are no living specimens of this species, and it cannot be kept in captivity. Fossil ants are important for understanding the evolutionary history of ants and ancient ecosystems, but they are artifacts of natural history, not living creatures that can be cared for. [1]

Fossil Description

The original description by Heer (1849) notes that the fossil queen measured approximately 4.5 lines in total length. The head is slightly narrower than the thorax, and the wings are much longer than the abdomen [1]. Only the queen caste has been fossilized and described, workers and males remain unknown. The species was later found to have a junior primary homonym (Formica lavateri var. major), which was replaced with the name Formica lavateri liora in 2025 [2].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep Formica lavateri ants?

No. Formica lavateri is an extinct species known only from Miocene fossil deposits. No living specimens exist, and it is impossible to keep fossil ants as pets.

Where did Formica lavateri live?

This species lived during the Miocene epoch. Fossil specimens have been found in Oeningen, Switzerland and Radoboj, Croatia.

What do we know about Formica lavateri biology?

Almost nothing is known about the biology of this species. We only have fossil impressions of queen ants preserved in rock. We do not know their colony structure, diet, behavior, or development. They are extinct.

Are there living Formica species similar to F. lavateri?

Yes, the genus Formica contains many living species that are commonly kept by antkeepers, such as Formica rufa (red wood ant), Formica fusca (black ant), and Formica polyctena. These are entirely different species from Formica lavateri.

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .