July 1999

It is extremely rare to find an insect inclusion situated in amber so as to present a clear view of both it's dorsal and ventral surface to the observer. This tiny beetle (possibly a bark-gnawing beetle; Fam. Ostomidae??), embedded in Dominican amber, is probably 20-25 MYr old, but most external body details are preserved in exquisite condition. Note the detail maintained in the cuticle, eyes, mouthparts, and limbs. The shadowy mass that can be seen beneath the cuticle on the dorsal surface hints that solid tissues may still be present within the underlying abdominal body cavity. Approximate magnification x 8.