‘Hell ant’ in midst of devouring prey found preserved in amber after 99 million years

It is thought that the hell ant lineage, along with their killer predatory features, disappeared during an extinction event around 65 million years ago

The hell ant Ceratomyrmex ellenbergeri attempting to devour its prey

A prehistoric “hell ant” in the midst of devouring its prey has been found preserved in amber in pristine condition after 99 million years.

The specimen, which was uncovered in Myanmar, shows the “enigmatic” insect predator locked in an embrace with its final victim, an extinct relative of a cockroach known as Caputoraptor elegans.