Fossil Insect Amber Trophy: A Totally Bazzar Owlfly Larvae

When you look at 1000's of pieces of amber over years, seldom are you surprised by a new insect. This piece is the exception in the form of a truly bazaar form: This bazaar little creature, measuring a mere 2 mm is manifest evidence that natures forms need not be large to be exotic. This weird creature is extremely rare in amber and is a member of insect order Neuroptera, Family: Ascalaphidae, also known as an owlfly (closely related to an antlion; Family: Myrmeleontidae). The owlfly is in its larval form in which it carries out ambushes of unfortunate insects. Its predator habits will continue unabated in adulthood when it will resemble a dragonfly with bulging eyes

There is also a 2nd insect I have not seen before, appearing to be a Hemipteran. Finally, there are many of the usual cast of characters appearing in amber, namely: 12 Dipterans, one very large, 2 wasps (Hymenoptera), a very pretty stingless bee (Hymenoptera), and an ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera).