Amber Preserved 52-Million-Year-Old Beetle That Loved Ants
- 10 years ago
Scientists have discovered a 52-million-year old fossil of a beetle preserved in amber, which is the oldest example of that species ever found. The beetle is part of a group that preys on ants by living along side them in the nest and then eating their eggs, or taking over their supplies.
Beetles have been known to invade ant colonies.
Now, scientists have discovered a 52-million-year old fossil of a beetle preserved in amber, which is the oldest example of that species ever found.
The beetle is part of a group that preys on ants by living along side them in the nest and then eating their eggs, or taking over their supplies.
There are around 370 species of beetles that participate in this kind of behavior, and experts say there could be several hundred more that haven’t yet been discovered.
Other predators give off pheromones that trigger the ants defense system to take down any threats.
These certain kinds of beetles are somehow able to avoid that, and live a comfortable life in the nest with the ants.
Lead researcher Joseph Parker, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History and postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University is quoted as saying: “These beetles live in a climate-controlled nest that is well protected against predators, and they have access to a great deal of food, including the ants' eggs and brood, and most remarkably, liquid food regurgitated directly to their mouths by the worker ants themselves."
The fossil is believed to be the first of its kind, with marked differences between the beetle’s body and those of modern species.
Beetles have been known to invade ant colonies.
Now, scientists have discovered a 52-million-year old fossil of a beetle preserved in amber, which is the oldest example of that species ever found.
The beetle is part of a group that preys on ants by living along side them in the nest and then eating their eggs, or taking over their supplies.
There are around 370 species of beetles that participate in this kind of behavior, and experts say there could be several hundred more that haven’t yet been discovered.
Other predators give off pheromones that trigger the ants defense system to take down any threats.
These certain kinds of beetles are somehow able to avoid that, and live a comfortable life in the nest with the ants.
Lead researcher Joseph Parker, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History and postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University is quoted as saying: “These beetles live in a climate-controlled nest that is well protected against predators, and they have access to a great deal of food, including the ants' eggs and brood, and most remarkably, liquid food regurgitated directly to their mouths by the worker ants themselves."
The fossil is believed to be the first of its kind, with marked differences between the beetle’s body and those of modern species.