Analysis - When most people think of fossils they probably picture bones. But there's much more to the global fossil record: plants, shells, minerals and insects. The study of fossil insects is called palaeoentomology.
When most people think of fossils they probably picture bones. But there's much more to the global fossil record: plants, shells, minerals and insects. The study of fossil insects is called palaeoentomology. Palaeoentomologists like myself seek out and study fossil insects that were trapped in mud which later became rock sediments, and those found in amber .
Rove beetles are highly adaptable and are found today in an array of environments around the world. They offer many ecosystem services. They are good environmental indicators, so they help us assess the health of the ecosystem. They are also used as biological control agents to reduce pest populations. They have a role in producing anti-septic and anti-cancer treatments.
The stenine rove beetle was preserved with something protruding from its front section. At first we thought it was a leg; and then we thought it was an antenna. After studying extant specimens of the group housed in South Africa's, we realised it was a labium. The labium is an extremely long tongue-like feeding structure that extends from the mouth. Stenine rove beetles extend and use the labium to catch prey, in the same way as a chameleon does.
Our team has already discovered more fossil insects in the Orapa Diamond Mine collection. These include an aphid, thrips, planthoppers and leafhoppers. We are currently studying each specimen and preparing academic manuscripts that describe what we've found. These will also be peer-reviewed.
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