Large Lower Cretaceous Scorpionfly Fossil

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 superbly-preserved scorpionfly preserved in lateral view. The upturned abdomen of the male is the derivation for the common name of the order, an allusion to the similarity to the stinger of a scorpion. The fidelity of preservation is attributed to the fineness of the sediment, making this a superb example of the insect life of some 125 million years ago.