A new species of Hemerobiidae (Neuroptera) from the late Eocene Rovno amber.

Proneuronema damzeni sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) is described from late Eocene Ukrainian Rovno amber.

Exceptional preservation of internal organs in a new fossil species of freshwater shrimp (Caridea: Palaemonoidea) from the Eocene of Messel (Germany).

A new species of extinct freshwater shrimp was discovered in the Eocene deposit of the Messel Pit Konservat-Lagerstätte. This rare find is represented by only a few specimens, one of which showing exceptionally preserved soft tissues and other internal parts like the stomach with possibly gastric ossicles in place, branchiae, the ovary, and the left mandible, never described in a fossil shrimp. The new species Bechleja brevirostris n.

Bizarre morphology in extinct Eocene bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Newly discovered fossil bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from the Eocene of Messel (Germany) and Green River (North America) exhibit an exaggerated morphology including prominent spiny humeral and anterolateral angles of the pronotum and a spiny lateral abdominal margin. Especially the humeral angles are unique; they consist of expansive, rounded projections with strong spines, which is a rare trait among pentatomids. A hypothesis for the function of this extreme morphology is defence against small vertebrate predators, such as birds or reptiles.

How to extract and analyze pollen from internal organs and exoskeletons of fossil insects?

This protocol explains how to extract pollen from fossil insects with subsequent descriptions of pollen treatment. We also describe how to document morphological and ultrastructural features with light-microscopy and electron microscopy. It enables a taxonomic assignment of pollen that can be used to interpret flower-insect interactions, foraging and feeding behavior of insects, and the paleoenvironment.

A Revision of fossil Bibionidae (Insecta: Diptera) from the Oligocene of Germany.

We revise the available material of fossil Bibionidae from the Oligocene of Germany, except for the Early Oligocene site of Kleinkems which has recently been revised. The bulk of the material originates from the Late Oligocene Lagerstätten of Rott and Enspel. One new species, Bibio castaneipennis sp.

The last meal of an Eocene pollen-feeding fly.

One of the most important trophic interactions today is that between insects and their floral hosts. This biotic association is believed to have been critical to the radiation of flowering plants and many pollinating insect lineages over the last 120 million years (Ma). Trophic interactions among fossil organisms are challenging to study, and most inferences are based on indirect evidence.

Eco-morphological diversity of larvae of soldier flies and their closest relatives in deep time.

Stratiomyomorpha (soldier flies and allies) is an ingroup of Diptera, with a fossil record stretching back to the Early Cretaceous (the Barremian, about 125 MYA). Stratiomyomorpha includes at least 3,000 species in the modern fauna, with many species being crucial for ecosystem functions, especially as saprophages. Larvae of many stratiomyomorphans are especially important as scavengers and saproxyls in modern ecosystems.

Seven remarkable new fossil species of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit.

Parasitoid wasps of the family Ichneumonidae are one of the most diverse and species-rich groups of organisms with a worldwide distribution. We here describe seven new ichneumonid fossil species and two new genera from a remarkable insect fossil site, the Eocene Messel Pit in Germany (~47Ma). The unique fossil preservation allows us to place five out of the seven new species unequivocally in extant subfamilies and genera.

A new genus of Hemerobiidae (Neuroptera) from Baltic amber, with a critical review of the Cenozoic Megalomus-like taxa and remarks on the wing venation variability of the family.

A new genus and two new species of Hemerobiidae (Neuroptera) are described from the late Eocene Baltic amber, i.e., Proneuronema gradatum gen.

Spongillaflies (Neuroptera, Sisyridae) in Baltic amber.

Two spongillaflies species are described and illustrated from Eocene Baltic amber: Paleosisyra minor n. sp. and Paleosisyra electrobaltica Wichard et al.

Morphological and behavioral convergence in extinct and extant bugs: the systematics and biology of a new unusual fossil lace bug from the eocene.

The bug Gyaclavator kohlsi Wappler, Guilbert, Wedmann et Labandeira, gen. et sp. nov.

New Palaeogene horntail wasps (Hymenoptera, Siricidae) and a discussion of their fossil record.

The phylogenetic placement of siricid hymenopterans and especially the relationships among Siricidae are not resolved, and are in need of further investigation. The fossil record helps to illuminate the evolutionary history of this group. In this paper, Xoanon? eocenicus sp.

First record of the family Ithonidae (Neuroptera) from Baltic amber.

Elektrithone expectata gen. et sp. nov.

First fossil larvae of Berothidae (Neuroptera) from Baltic amber, with notes on the biology and termitophily of the family.

Four fossil larvae of Berothidae (Neuroptera) from Baltic amber are described in detail, and the main characters of a fifth larva are discussed briefly. Two first instars very probably belong to the Berothinae; the subfamilial affinities of three othe (probably full-grown) larvae are unclear. The latter are characterized by features not found so far in extant taxa of Berothi dae: antennae and labial palps with six to seven segments; ecdysial cleavage lines consist of only frontal and coronal sutures (the lateral suture is absent); pronotal sclerites large and very close to each other along midline.

Phylogeographic analysis elucidates the influence of the ice ages on the disjunct distribution of relict dragonflies in Asia.

Unusual biogeographic patterns of closely related groups reflect events in the past, and molecular analyses can help to elucidate these events. While ample research on the origin of disjunct distributions of different organism groups in the Western Paleartic has been conducted, such studies are rare for Eastern Palearctic organisms. In this paper we present a phylogeographic analysis of the disjunct distribution pattern of the extant species of the strongly cool-adapted Epiophlebia dragonflies from Asia.

Fossilized biophotonic nanostructures reveal the original colors of 47-million-year-old moths.

Structural colors are generated by scattering of light by variations in tissue nanostructure. They are widespread among animals and have been studied most extensively in butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), which exhibit the widest diversity of photonic nanostructures, resultant colors, and visual effects of any extant organism. The evolution of structural coloration in lepidopterans, however, is poorly understood.

Direct and indirect fossil records of megachilid bees from the Paleogene of Central Europe (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

Aside from pollen and nectar, bees of the subfamily Megachilinae are closely associated with plants as a source of materials for nest construction. Megachilines use resins, masticated leaves, trichomes and other plant materials sometimes along with mud to construct nests in cavities or in soil. Among these, the leafcutter bees (Megachile s.

The first fossil leaf insect: 47 million years of specialized cryptic morphology and behavior.

Stick and leaf insects (insect order Phasmatodea) are represented primarily by twig-imitating slender forms. Only a small percentage ( approximately 1%) of extant phasmids belong to the leaf insects (Phylliinae), which exhibit an extreme form of morphological and behavioral leaf mimicry. Fossils of phasmid insects are extremely rare worldwide.