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Showing results for tags 'lacewing'.
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Partial Jurassic Neuroptera Insect with Beautiful Wing Preservation
Biotalker posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
Here is my recent acquisition from Inner Mongolia of China in the Jiulongshan formation, more commonly and famously known as Daohugou, which dates to middle Jurassic around 165 mya. The part and counterpart partial insect fossil appears to be a neuropteran, perhaps related to the family of Grammolingiidae (a group of lacewings that include “Jurassic butterflies”, so named on account of their huge spotted wings). Only one of the wings and a small part of another were found in the fossil. The wing, however, is slightly more than two inches (5cm) long. The head and thorax but not the abdomen are intact. I am sharing these images because I think the fossilization is remarkable. Dense tissue like the head and thorax are harder to interpret than the thin wing. But wow, the details that can be seen under the scope are amazing! No ambiguity as we sometimes see with dragonfly fossils!- 8 replies
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Neuropteran metamorphosis in amber -- any other cases known?
bagheera posted a topic in Questions & Answers
I found a great specimen in burmite amber, including a neuropteran eclosing from its larval case. The larva ('ant-lion') can be seen clinging to the leaf, and the adult form was captured emerging; Its wings have yet to expand, etc. and this is a genuine piece of Cretaceous burmite. It shat 3x after eclosing, and there's a homopteran & coleopteran also captured inside. Besides being spectacularly beautiful and crazy timing, I can't seem to find any other instances of such "metamorphosis in the act" in the fossil record... Certainly nothing 100 Mya, with a showy lacewing, and in such clearcut detail. Even the grass(?) is partly preserved where the larval form clung. Any thoughts, pointers, points of reference? Can anyone possibly identify the subfamily or genus? Aquatic or terrestrial "ant-lion"? The images are purely for reference/informational purposes in this forum (not my own), and thanks for any helpful discussion. -
From the album: Insects from the Fur Formation