New fossil finds
This wasp was discovered in amber collected from the Dominican Republic in 1959, then set aside and rediscovered in 2011. [Read the full story.]
Mating flies
Two flies trapped in sticky tree resin as they mated millions of years ago.
Flower bud
The head of a pygmy locust rests near a flower bud in amber.
Pygmy locust
A new species of pygmy locust named for British naturalist Sir David Attenborough, Electrotettix attenboroughi.
Larvae
Larvae of an unknown species in the Illinois Natural History Survey's amber collection.
Biting midge
Biting midges are tiny, blood-sucking flies that are rarely found as fossils but are perfectly preserved in amber.
Gall midge
A gall midge entombed in amber.
Mammal hairs
Hairs from an unknown mammal species.
Azteca ant
Azteca ants are a tropical species that live in trees.
Beetle
A beetle found in amber from the Dominican Republic.
Fungus gnat
The delicate limbs and wings of a fungus gnat were preserved for 20 million years in amber.
