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

Fossil Formica macrophthalma

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Formica macrophthalma
Tribe
Formicini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Heer, 1849
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Incertae Sedis
Incertae Sedis in Genus
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Formica macrophthalma is an extinct ant species known only from fossil specimens preserved in Miocene deposits from Oeningen, Switzerland . The species was described by Oswald Heer in 1849 based on two fairly well-preserved specimens. Key identifying features include a head clearly wider than the thorax, large eyes, and an oval thorax and abdomen . This is a fossil species with no living representatives - it cannot be kept in captivity.

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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

Formica macrophthalma is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.