Zigrasimeciinae is a subfamily ofants, known from theCretaceous period, originally named as the tribeZigrasimeciini within the subfamilySphecomyrminae by Borysenko, 2017,[1] it was elevated to full subfamily in 2020. It contains three described genera.[2] They are sometimes known asiron-maiden ants in reference to their densely spiked mouthparts, reminiscent of aniron maiden torture device, that were likely used to trap prey.[3]Boltonimecia canadensis was described fromCampanianCanadian amber out of Alberta, Canada, while the species ofProtozigrasimecia andZigrasimecia are both exclusively known fromCenomanianBurmese amber found in Myanmar.[3]
^abcdeChaul, J. C. M. (2023). "A revision of the Cretaceous ant genusZigrasimecia Barden & Grimaldi, 2013 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: †Zigrasimeciinae)".Zootaxa.5325 (3):301–341.doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5325.3.1.PMID38220906.
