Lithoblatta Cockroach Fossil from Solnhofen

Lithoblatta lithophilia

(Germar 1839)

Class Insecta, Subclass Pterygota, Order Blattaria

Geological Time: Upper Jurassic

Size: Insect fossil is 3.4 cm in length (1 3/18”) by 2.3 cm in width (1 1/16”) on a 13.3 x 13.9 cm (5 1/4 x 5 1/2”) limestone matrix

Fossil Site: Solnhofen "plattenkalk” Malm Zeta 2, Eichstatt, Germany

Lithoblatta lithophilia Cockroach FossilDescription: This is a rare and very well preserved cockroach from Solnhofen. Note the very long antennae and spread wings. The head and thorax are clearly visible. This spectacular fossil comes from the lithographic limestone Solnhofen deposits of Germany. These 150 million year old deposits are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved organisms, the most famous of which are the handful of specimens of the ancient bird Archaeopteryx.

click fossil pictures to enlarge

Lithoblatta Fossil Insect

l Paleontology & Fossils l Paleobiology and Geologic Timeline l
l Fossil Amber l Ammonite Fossils l Dinosaur and Reptile Fossils l Fossil Kits l
l Crinoids and Echinoderms l Fish Fossils l Fossil Dealers l Insect Fossils l Invertebrate Fossils l
l Plant Fossils l Stromatolites l Trace & Ichnofossils l Trilobite Fossils l Vertebrate Fossils l