Cf Caloraphidia sp.
Order Raphidioptera, Allorhaphidiidae
Geological Time: Lower Cretaceous (~128 m.y.a.)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Insect fossil is 20 mm long (curve measure) with 21 mm wingspan; Matrix: 110 mm by 95 mm
Fossil Site: Yixian Formation, Huangbangi Valley, Beipiao, Liaoning Province of China
Fossil Code: CF446
Price: Sold
 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. The exact
age of the Yixian Formation is still under debate, with some researchers
favoring the Early Cretaceous, some the Late Jurassic, and still
others the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. This example is a fine
member of the Raphidioptera, or Snakeflies. The snakeflies are
one of the least diverse lineages of insects, and are immediately
recognizable owing to the elongated prothorax (“snake neck’)
and typical wing venation so clearly seen here. The oldest doubtless
snakeflies are known from the early Jurassic, but since they have
features in common with the more modern types, it is thought the
order extends at least into the Triassic. |
