Frozen in Amber: Tiny Wasp Tells 98-Million-Year-Old Tale

A newly discovered ancient wasp species, named Cretolyra shawi, has been found preserved in 98-million-year-old amber from Myanmar's Kachin State. The tiny insect, measuring less than 3 millimeters in length, belongs to the Megalyridae wasp family and lived during the late Cretaceous Period. The species was named in honor of University of Wyoming Professor Scott Shaw, although he was not directly involved in the research. This discovery is part of a larger study that identified eight new species of parasitoid wasps in Cretaceous amber. The exquisite preservation in amber provides a unique glimpse into the biodiversity of the ancient world, offering valuable insights into the evolution of insects.

 

Source: UW News