Prehistoric Insect Species Directory
This directory lists the prehistoric insect species (and a few notable non-insect arthropods) covered on this site. Each profile includes physical description, size estimates, geological age, diet and ecology, where fossils have been found, and the significance of the species to our understanding of insect evolution. Species are loosely organized by geological era.
Devonian (419–359 Ma)
- Rhyniognatha hirstiThe oldest known insect. Preserved as mandibles in 410-million-year-old Rhynie Chert.
Carboniferous (359–299 Ma)
- MeganeuraGiant griffinfly with a wingspan of up to 70 cm. One of the most iconic prehistoric insects.
- ArthropleuraGiant millipede-like arthropod reaching lengths of over 2 meters.
- MazothairosA six-winged palaeodictyopteran with piercing mouthparts for feeding on plant fluids.
- ArchimylacrisAn ancient cockroach relative, among the most common Carboniferous insect fossils.
- AphthoroblattinaA Carboniferous cockroach ancestor with a well-preserved body plan.
- BoltonocostaA giant Carboniferous mayfly with broad wings and aquatic larval stages.
Permian (299–252 Ma)
- Meganeuropsis permianaThe largest flying insect ever known, with a wingspan estimated at up to 71 cm.
- ProtelytropteraEarly beetle-like insects with hardened forewings, though not true beetles.
Triassic (252–201 Ma)
- TitanopteraLarge predatory insects with raptorial forelegs and sound-producing wings.
Jurassic (201–145 Ma)
- KalligrammatidaeLacewings that convergently evolved to resemble butterflies, complete with eyespots and a proboscis.
- PalaeontinidaeGiant cicada-like hemipterans with wingspans up to 15 cm.
- StrashilaA bizarre, enigmatic insect of uncertain affinities from Jurassic Kazakhstan.
Cretaceous (145–66 Ma)
- SphecomyrmaA "proto-ant" preserved in amber, combining features of wasps and modern ants.
- Cretaceous Amber Insects (Overview)A survey of the diverse insects preserved in Cretaceous-age amber deposits worldwide.