Amber, fossilized resin secreted by conifers, is a real time capsule for paleontologists. He can imprison and keep organisms in an unequaled state of detail. Nearly 35 pieces, dated 99 million years and from Myanmar (Burma), were thus collected by the Institute of Geology and Paleontology in Nanjing, in China. Some contain insects in still vibrant colors: wasps-coucou with lively shades, blue and purple beetles, or dark green flies.
Exceptional preservation
To study these precious samples, scientists cut amber using a diamond knife, then observed the inclusions under an electron microscope. They discovered that the nanostructures responsible for the dispersion of light had remained intact, explaining the perfect conservation of colors. This rare phenomenon means that the shades observed today are exactly those that insects in the Cretaceous.
A window on the past
These discoveries are not limited to wonder: they also allow researchers to better understand the evolution of insects and their interactions with the prehistoric environment. The colors, often linked to communication, camouflage or seduction, deliver precious clues to the behavior and lifestyle of these species disappeared for millions of years.
Did you like this article? Find the magazine “Le Monde des Animaux” in newsstands and on Monmag.fr (paper and digital versions, and subscriptions).
The world of animals & nature is a magazine dedicated to wild fauna and flora from around the world. Through captivating stories and sublime photographs, the magazine offers a real visual safari at the heart of nature.