About This Site
Insects of a Lost World is a reference site dedicated to prehistoric insects — the insects that lived from the Devonian period through the end of the Cretaceous. The site covers species profiles, geological eras, fossil sites, and the science behind how we study insects that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.
Purpose
The goal is to provide accurate, detailed, and accessible information about prehistoric insects for anyone with an interest in the subject, from students and educators to hobbyists and amateur paleontologists. The content draws on published scientific literature and is intended to reflect the current state of knowledge in paleoentomology.
Scope
The primary scope is insects (Hexapoda: Insecta) from the Devonian (~419 Ma) through the K-Pg extinction (~66 Ma). A few notable non-insect arthropods (such as Arthropleura) are included where they provide important context. The Green River Formation (Eocene) is included as a bridge to the modern world.
Sources
Content on this site is based on published scientific research. Key references include Grimaldi and Engel's Evolution of the Insects (Cambridge University Press), the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (Part R: Insecta), and numerous primary research papers. See the Sources & Further Reading page for detailed references.