Formica strangulata

Introduction

Formica strangulata is an extinct ant species known only from Eocene Baltic amber, dating back approximately 44 million years. This species was described from fossil specimens preserved in amber, making it one of the many ancient ant species that lived during the late Eocene period in what is now Europe. Workers had distinctive morphological features including a clypeus with median keel, large eyes, and a smoothly rounded propodeum without distinct dorsal and posterior surfaces. The body was covered with very fine shagreened sculpture and relatively thick, stiff standing hairs concentrated on the head, pronotum, and gaster. This species represents an ancient member of the Formica genus within the Formicini tribe.