Fossil in sideritic ironstone

[DE&i]

Found another interesting specimen on this Nodule from Smokejacks quarry, measuring under a 1.0mm approximately 0.3mm in length, was quite difficult to photograph. First impression due to it’s almost wing like features I would suggest possible insect. As the concretions of sideritic ironstone and fine grained calcareous sandstone have also yielded numerous insect remains including non-angiospermous plants (ferns and cycads, and a Sequoia-type cone).

 

 

The quarry cuts through a section of the Wealden group, specifically the Weald Clay. The clay was deposited in a lake and floodplain environment during the Barremian stage of the Cretaceous period about 129-128 million years ago.

 

[FossilDAWG]

There might be some resemblance to a cockroach forewing (tegmen).  You should check against photos or literature available online to see what you think, though.

 

Don

[piranha]

The top specialist on UK fossil insects:  E.A. Jarzembowski

 

 

[Arizona Chris]

4 hours ago, DE&i said:

measuring at 0.3mm in length

Really?  or do you mean 3mm?

[DE&i]

9 hours ago, Arizona Chris said:

Really?  or do you mean 3mm?

It's quite a struggle for an exact measurement @Arizona Chris but certainly under a 1mm. Good point though I understand your thinking, I should have been more specific in my description. I'll amend it now.

[Wrangellian]

If it's only 0.3mm, how did you photograph it, or even find it in the first place?

0.3mm in that first photo would be about 1 pixel in size, judging by the ruler.

[DE&i]

11 hours ago, Wrangellian said:

If it's only 0.3mm, how did you photograph it, or even find it in the first place?

0.3mm in that first photo would be about 1 pixel in size, judging by the ruler.

If you are asking out of interest, then firstly I used a x12 hand loop to locate it. Then photoed it using the macro microscope setting on a Olympus TG-4.

[Wrangellian]

Pretty good job for something that small!

[DE&i]

The insect is has now been confirmed as cockroach. See the cockroach chapter in English Wealden fossils (p.177, text-fig. 14.2B) for a good comparison.  It would be difficult to put an exact species on it as not all the cockroaches have been described, and apparently need the complete wing.

[Plax]

It would be cool to see it circled in the first photo. Congrats on finding and identifying such a small specimen!

[DE&i]

1 hour ago, Plax said:

It would be cool to see it circled in the first photo. Congrats on finding and identifying such a small specimen!

 

Thank you @Plax ill pin point another photo to show this.