Fossil Amber with RARE INCLUSIONS
Lepidopterous Larvae (Caterpillar) & Reduviidae (Assassin Bug)

Among the 17 insect inclusions in this amber are two that are rare. The first is a fine, 9 mm caterpillar (note the pro-legs), more scientifically called a Lepidopterous larvae (Lepidopterans are the moths and butterflies). Next is one of the fiercest of insect predators from Order Hemiptera (the true bugs), or Assassin Bug, that rivals Mantids as predators (see further info below).

These rare amber insects share their eternal resin grave with 15 other various Dipterans and Hymenopterans, making for a mini ecosystem of once animated life from an ancient rainforest.

It exhibits extraordinary clarity, rich color and has been expertly hand-polished to a glassine finish.

Regarding the Assassin bug, as a Hemipteran (the true bugs), Suborder: Heteroptera; Family: Reduviidae, it is part of a diverse insect order that appeared in Upper Pennsylvannian-time. There are some 80,000 extant species. Hemipterans have piercing and sucking mouthparts that form an articulated beak. The two pair of wings are hardened near the body, but membranous towards the ends. While most are herbivores, some are predators, such as bedbugs. An assassin bug in Latin America is a vector for the protozoan causing sleeping sickness that kills many people each year. This well-preserved Reduviidae, is also called a resin bug, a name given them due to their habit of lurking around resin deposits lying in wait for their favorite prey: stingless bees. The bees come to the resin to gather samples that are used in construction of their nests. The assassin bugs often will attach some sticky resin to their forelegs much as a wide receiver will apply "stickum" to catch a football. Among insect predators, Assassin bugs rank well with Mantids and spiders, as the primordial predator and prey dance has persisted over geologic time.