What Type Of Insects Are These (Genera / Speciation)

[Melissawow]

Here are two fossilized insect specimens from the Santana Formation in Brazil during the early Cretaceous period. Do let me know in your opinion, what type of insects do you think they were and if possible, their genera or species names will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Bullsnake]

Hi Melissa,

Nice specimens!

What are sizes?

The 'heaviness' and venation of the wings on the first specimen remind me of a cockroach.

The second one is interesting because I can't think of a modern analogy with a stout body (like a fly or bee), but comparatively long wings.

Bear in mind I'm only a novice, so my assessments could be way off.

[Paleoworld-101]

I was also thinking Cockroach for the first one and the second looks like some sort of Grasshopper perhaps.

[Melissawow]

Thanks for the replies.

Well, the insects are 1.4cm respectively.

[piranha]

The first one is a cockroach, very similar to the attached image of Ponopterix axelrodi. The robust hind leg of the second specimen looks like a possible cricket or grasshopper. Hopefully one of our insect specialists can assist further. Congrats on these fine examples!

 

 

Barling, N., Martill, D.M., Heads, S.W., & Gallien, F. (2015)

High fidelity preservation of fossil insects from the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Brazil.

Cretaceous Research, 52:605-622

 

 

 

[Tethys]

I agree on the cockroach ID for #1. The second fossil is something in the insect order Neuroptera, which includes lacewings, antlions, and mantidflies. I am basing that on the wings and fairly stout hind leg that are visible.. I wish the head and antennae were better preserved, but I lean toward adult antlion as an ID.