Exquisitely Preserved Miocene Flying Termite Insect Fossil

Description: It’s hard to imagine something this small and fragile could be preserved so perfectly in stone. The insects are found in paper shales. These shales offer some of the best-preserved insects and plants to be found anywhere in the world. Note the detail on the wings legs and head. Wings termites are the sexual forms that fly off, and if they survive, begin a new nest.

Nevada once had a much wetter and more temperate climate back in the Miocene. There were many more lakes in what is now the driest state in the USA. The Sierra uplift dramatically changed the climate and rainfall in the state.

The specimen will be sent in a glass covered Riker mount. It is very, very fragile, and I suggest you handle it with extreme care.