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Overall, several hundred insect species are known from the Messel Pit. Most numerous among them are beetles (approx. 60 % of all discoveries). Even after 47 million years, the iridescent structural colors of this jewel beetle (Buprestidae) are clearly visible. Today, the modern relatives of this species are only found in Central and South America.
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Details
- Title: Jewel beetle
- Location: Messel pit, Hesse, Germany
- Type: original
- Rights: Uta Kiel Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
- size: 60 mm
- scientific name: Psiloptera weigelti
- geological Age: Middle Eocene
- age: 48 mil. years
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