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

Fossil Oecophylla longiceps

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Oecophylla longiceps
Tribe
Oecophyllini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Dlussky, 2008
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Oecophylla longiceps is an extinct species of weaver ant known only from fossil specimens found in the Messel Formation of Germany, dating to the middle Eocene approximately 47 million years ago . This species belongs to the genus Oecophylla, which includes living weaver ants like Oecophylla smaragdina . The fossil queen measured 12-16 mm in body length, with a head that is 1.2 times longer than wide, a feature that gives the species its name 'longiceps' . The worker caste has never been described .

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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 longiceps is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.