What Is This In Dominican Amber?

[NZ_Fossil_Collecta]

this inclusion is in a small layered 'stalactite' of dominican amber that my friend brought over to my house so we could have a look at it. at first i though midge but it does not have the right body shape, no wings, and is too large. it is 20-40 million years old, and is about 4-5 millimeters long. i hope someone can shed light on this.

[Sélacien34]

Hello, i am not a specialist in arthropods, but I think it is very difficult to identify something with a photo like this. I also have some specimens of amber, I take pictures of them by directing one or more light sources in front and on the sides, otherwise we can only see a shape

[mikeymig]

I agree about the lighting and I would add that if you can take another photo then dip the amber in some mineral oil. It is very cracked and crazed and the mineral oil may help.

mikey

[Taogan]

From its profile it could be a thrip (Thysanoptera), but the legs look a bit off. I agree with the others about the picture, a light box and a bit of oil would help make it clearer.

[Magicman]

First thing to do is test if is in fact Amber and not copal or plastic. Amber will float in salt water. Take 1 part salt to 2 parts water, mix well and drop the amber into the solution. If it drops to the bottom, it probably isn't amber and proceed to test #2, amber won't melt - copal and plastic will, amber burns like incense and releases a pleasant pine odor. If you don't want to damage the piece, try some finger nail polish on an edge, if it gets tacky, it isn't amber. Amber won't be harmed by finger nail polish (acetone) or you could use alcholol as well.

There are so many "fake" pieces of amber out there in online shops and even retail stores that I always test first and save a lot of time and effort.

Bob

Edited to add: Dominican amber was formed differently in the Septentrional range than in the hills of Bayaguana and Sabena. In the north, it was formed by sandstone accumulating in deep water and in the east it is found in sand, clay or gravel.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Magicman

[NZ_Fossil_Collecta]

I agree about the lighting and I would add that if you can take another photo then dip the amber in some mineral oil. It is very cracked and crazed and the mineral oil may help.

mikey

The surface is actually very smooth and clear, what you are seeing is the debris in between the layers.

Also, could someone perhaps show a picture of this technique that is bieng suggested (keeping in mind that I have no fancy equipment short of a microscope and the insect's position does not allow me to take pictures from the side

Edited April 30, 2014 by NZ_Fossil_Collecta

[mikeymig]

So your shooting the photo into the microscopes eyepiece correct? Like S34 said, use one or more light sources on the side of the microscope and turn off the light on the microscope. You will have to play around with it for awhile until you get the proper amount of light and the angle of the light just so.

mikey