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

Fossil Formica primordialis

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Formica primordialis
Tribe
Formicini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Heer, 1849
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Incertae Sedis
Incertae Sedis in Genus
Distribution
Found in 1 countries

Introduction

Formica primordialis is an extinct ant species known from fossil specimens in Miocene deposits in Switzerland and Croatia . The seven discovered specimens measure approximately 12.7 mm in total length, with an elongated body, oblong thorax, and oval abdomen . They are brownish-black in color and similar to the modern Formica rufa . This species lived about 15-20 million years ago and provides insight into ant evolution during the Miocene epoch .

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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 primordialis is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.