|  This
specimen gives new meaning to the cliché' "collection centerpiece".
In my experience, I've never seen, nor expect to ever see again such a specimen.
First, there are 412 plus or minus 37 Coleopterans of Family Platypodidae (commonly
called wood-borer) beetles; as they are impossible to count accurately, 412 is
the mean of several counts and 37 is one standard deviation from the mean. The
Platypodid beetles express a vivid red coloration, especially when lighted, and
each measure some 4 mm in length. These beetles are so cute; it is easy to imagine
that they were congregated together for a purpose unknown. The huge fossil amber
insect assemblage also includes many dozens of various Dipterans and Hymenopterans
(i.e., flies, gnats, bees, wasps and ants), some large, some small,  some
diminutive. There is also a large stingless bee. In all, some one half thousand
insect inhabit this fossil amber crypt.
If all the above were not
enough, there is an extremely rare amber insect inclusion, a pair of flies that
met their demise in a state of embrace, attempting to propagate their species
even in the face of ultimate disaster. Finally, by amber standards, the
specimen is massive, weighing 223 grams (about 1/2 pound). The specimen exhibits
extraordinary clarity, deep rich color, and a very fine hand polish. |
