Carebara kutscheri

Introduction

Carebara kutscheri is an extinct ant species known only from fossil specimens preserved in Late Eocene Bitterfeld amber from Germany, approximately 33.9-37.8 million years ago. Workers measure approximately 2.2-2.5 mm in body length, making them tiny ants similar to modern Carebara species. The soldiers are significantly larger at about 6 mm. This species is remarkable because it represents the first known fossil Carebara species with a soldier caste, a trait that helped identify it as potentially belonging to the former genus Pheidologeton. Workers have notably large eyes compared to related fossil species, a completely smooth and shiny body, and lack the hair coverage seen in similar species like Carebara antiqua .