Surprise fossil found in amber that is 99 million years old

Israeli scientists have discovered a new type of flea trapped in amber, which is like traveling back in time. This amazing discovery provides a unique window into the distant past, around 99 million years ago, when a wide variety of insects coexisted with dinosaurs on Earth.

The peer-reviewed Israel Journal of Entomology has published the research, which was conducted by Tanya (Tatiana) Novoselsky from Tel Aviv University’s Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and Dolav Fabrikant from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

This flea, known by the name Miropictopallium coloradmonens, is distinguished from its more archaic cousins by its bright and unique coloring. The majority of extinct insects found preserved in amber have dull, yellowish-brown colors, but a particular flea has vibrant colors that probably functioned as a natural superhero cape to ward off predators.

The new insect sheds light on an important transitional period in the history of terrestrial life, which improves our understanding of the current world. According to Fabrikant, the period was characterized by a rise in biological variety and the emergence of contemporary ecosystems.