Here is a fossilized pine beetle (Or fire bug) from the Green River Formation of Colorado which is probably to be found in the species Melanophila cockerellae.
The genus belongs to the Family Buprestidae that are commonly known as jewel beetles.
The wing covers are nicely spread out and the preservation is detailed, but the determination of fossil beetles is difficult. That is why often fossil beetles are simply identified as Coleoptera indet.
With this specimen, however, one can be confident at least at the genus level.
The shape of the elytra and their densely dotted surface fit well for Melanophila.
Also the shape of the head as well as the legs and the segmentation of the body are also clearly recognizable and correspond well in the characteristics of this taxon.
This fossil jewel beetle is about 11 mm long. |
