Oecophylla kraussei

Introduction

Oecophylla kraussei is an extinct fossil ant known from a single queen specimen found in the Klondike Mountain Formation in Republic, Washington, USA, dating to the Early Eocene about 51 million years ago . The specimen shows an elongated head approximately 1.2 times longer than wide, large compound eyes at the front of the head, and mandibles that protrude slightly more than one-third of the head length . Originally described as Camponotites kraussei, it was later transferred to Oecophylla based on forewing venation and an elongated petiole . This species is one of the oldest known Oecophylla fossils, highlighting the ancient lineage of weaver ants .