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

Fossil Formica obtecta

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

Introduction

Formica obtecta is an extinct ant species known only from fossil imprints found in Miocene-era deposits near Radoboj, Croatia. The species was originally described by Oswald Heer in 1849 based on poorly preserved specimens . The fossil material consists of a wingless queen (gyne) and a gaster, but the preservation quality is so poor that researchers have been unable to definitively place it within any known ant genus - it is currently classified as Formicidae incertae generis (ant family, genus uncertain) . This species has no living representatives and 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
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026
Fossil

No caresheet needed

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