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GIANT WATER SCORPION BUG FROM THE JURASSIC SOLNHOFEN LITHOGRAPHIC LIMESTONE Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation - Eichstatt, Germany UPPER JURASSIC PERIOD (MALM): 154 - 144 million years ago Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation of southern Germany is legendary. Fine quality Solnhofen fossils are now much more rare than in past years. Many superb specimens come from old private collections as modern machinery destroys many fossils that were once easy to see and extract in the days of manual labor. Also, many quarries are now closed to commercial operations. This is an SUPREME GRADE fossil of an extinct giant water scorpion bug known as Mesobelostomum, from the Jurassic Period deposits of Solnhofen in Germany. Unlike many Solnhofen insect fossils that are nothing more than a crude body impression with all legs and wings missing and therefore, painted on the rock artificially, you can clearly see very rare detail in the rock with deep, obvious impressions of the wings, legs and head anatomy, as well as the body outline and detail. Fossil has been enhanced to show detail but there is no highlighting of the fossil that was not a clearly visible fossil impression in the matrix. This is a fantastic specimen and exceeds the relief and completeness of most examples found or offered for sale. 100% GENUINE WITHOUT RESTORATION. Fossil is on its original UNBROKEN slabs of limestone. Not to be confused with a cockroach, Mesobelostomum is a large predatory insect that existed in two types - a water and a land form. These were true bugs and a member of the order Hemiptera. The Mesobelostomum were excellent fliers regardless of being water or land types. They preyed on small, juvenile fish and other aquatic creatures, rising to the surface of the water from time to time, for air. These large bugs possessed hardened forewing and hind wings, one partly covering the other creating a triangular shield appearance on their back. EXTREMELY FINE QUALITY WITH MINUTE ANATOMICAL DETAIL PRESERVED - UNBROKEN SLAB 6" x 4.3" overall, beetle is 1.7" long SOLD BU005 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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