The oldest fossil of rod-shaped insects

A group of scientists said they had found a color-coded insect fossil with nearby plants. This sample dates back to 126 million years.

Photo: Reuters

Insect fossils are scientifically named Cretophasmomima melanogramma , found in Liaoning province, northeastern China. This place has also found fossils of birds and dinosaurs . Insects with the same body as the leaves of plants with close relation with ginkgo trees today, including its green color It is the same color as the leaves so it helps to hide very well on the foliage.

The Daily Mail reported that the species is 55mm long on average and the male is slightly smaller than the female.

Cretophasmomima melanogramma lives from the Cretaceous period through the Middle Age. Their habitats are quite warm but humid and sheltered under large vegetation flaps, especially sesame and ginkgo.