Melissawow Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 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. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paleoworld-101 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I was also thinking Cockroach for the first one and the second looks like some sort of Grasshopper perhaps. "In Africa, one can't help becoming caught up in the spine-chilling excitement of the hunt. Perhaps, it has something to do with a memory of a time gone by, when we were the prey, and our nights were filled with darkness..." -Eternal Enemies: Lions And Hyenas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissawow Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Thanks for the replies. Well, the insects are 1.4cm respectively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tethys Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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