Gem Ancient Thysanura (Bristletail) in Amber

Name: Fossil Amber: (Insect Orders: Thysanura: Ectognatha; Diptera; Hymenoptera)

Age: Pleistocene to Pliocene

Size: mm (25.4mm=1 inch): 31 by 28 mm; 5.4 grams

Location: Andes Mountains, South America

Code: A227

Price: $69.00 - sold


The trophy insect inclusion here is a gem of a Thysanura (or silverfish or brttletail) that is 15 mm long Thysanuran. Thysanurans, the silverfish, are of primitive design, appearing in the Devonian. Thysanura is thought by some to be the linking order between wingless and winged insects. The compound eyes are small; have three tail bristles on the end of their abdomen;the mouthparts are external; some species have scales covering the body. After hatching, the nymphs change to adults with minimal metamorphosis. The young are similar to adults except in size, molting until sexual maturity is attained. Molting may continue into adulthood, and there may be more than forty molts in the life of a thysanuran. There are some 700 named, extant species.

Additionally, the piece contains 6 Dipterans, an ant, and a small unidentified insect.

Surreal Amber Purchase

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