Large Fossil Amber Dipteran

Description: This amber piece displays an uncommonly large example of a member of the Diptera. The term Diptera means “two-winged” and is actually a misnomer. Most members have a second, vestigial pair of wings that are mere knobs which are used as a “gyroscope” to keep the insect level in flight. This one is a dark-winged fungus gnat which, unlike many Baltic inclusions, is readily visible to the unaided human eye. The larvae of fungus gnats feed upon decaying vegetation, hence the common name.