Name: Insecta: Mecoptera (scorpionfly) Female
Age: Lower Cretaceous (~125 m.y.a.)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): 12 mm wings; Matrix: 88 mm by 58 mm and 75 mm by 55 mm
Location: Yixian Formation, Chao Yang, Liaoning Province of China
 Description:
The Class Insecta is well represented in Liaoning and Hebei Provinces
of China, with over 500 species referable to over 100 families based
upon over 10,000 specimens. This fantastic diversity and exquisite
detail is unprecedented throughout the world. This example is a member
of the Mecoptera, or Scorpionflies. This one is a female as it lacks
the "stingerlike" genatalia of the male that gives these
insects their common name. This is a fine specimen with incredible
detail preserved in the wings which includes preserved color banding. |
