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

Fossil Oecophylla leakeyi

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Oecophylla leakeyi
Tribe
Oecophyllini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Wilson & Taylor, 1964
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Oecophylla leakeyi is an extinct species of weaver ant described from Miocene fossil deposits found on Mfwangano Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya . Only worker fragments have been described, with polymorphic sizes similar to extant Oecophylla species . The species is known from Kenya, Africa . The most unusual aspect is the rare fossil nest containing numerous pupae, larvae, and worker fragments, providing direct evidence of leaf-weaving nest construction similar to modern weaver ants .

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
2000 - 2026
Fossil

No caresheet needed

Oecophylla leakeyi is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.