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

Fossil Ponera leptocephala

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Ponera leptocephala
Tribe
Ponerini
Subfamily
Ponerinae
Author
Emery, 1891
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Ponera leptocephala is an extinct ant species known only from a single fossil specimen in Sicilian amber, dating to the Miocene epoch approximately 23-5 million years ago . The queen measures 4 mm in length with an elongated head, large laterally-positioned eyes, and slender 12-segmented antennae . The body is pilose, and the abdomen is truncate at the front . This species cannot be kept in captivity as it is extinct, with no living specimens available.

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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

Ponera leptocephala is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.