Amber-fossils
Guides
Cantharinae
soldier beetles
Cantharinae is a subfamily of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, comprising at least 200 described species. The subfamily is divided into two extant tribes—Cantharini and Podabrini—plus the extinct tribe †Cacomorphocerini known from Baltic amber. Members are distributed globally and are among the most frequently observed beetles in temperate regions. The subfamily has been extensively documented in amber deposits, with multiple fossil genera described from Cretaceous and Eocene deposits.
Erythraeoidea
Long-legged Velvet Mites
Erythraeoidea is a superfamily of mites commonly known as long-legged velvet mites, characterized by extremely elongated legs relative to body size. Members exhibit a complex life cycle involving distinct morphological and behavioral phases: post-larval stages (deutonymph and adult) are active predators, while the six-legged larval stage is parasitic on arthropod and vertebrate hosts. This superfamily belongs to the infraorder Anystina within the order Trombidiformes. The group has a fossil record extending to at least the Cretaceous period, with specimens preserved in amber documenting ancient host-parasite relationships.
Malthodes
soldier beetles
Malthodes is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, containing at least 120 described species. The genus has a long evolutionary history, with fossil relatives dating back to the Late Cretaceous (~99 million years ago). Extant species are distributed across the Palaearctic region, including Europe, the Caucasus, and East Asia. The genus is taxonomically active, with new species described recently from Japan and the Greater Caucasus.
Microphorinae
Microphorinae is a subfamily of flies currently classified within Dolichopodidae (sensu lato), though historically treated as a separate family or subfamily of Empididae. The subfamily contains seven genera: two extant (Microphor and Schistostoma) and five extinct genera known from Cretaceous and Eocene amber deposits. The Nearctic fauna includes 33 species across both extant genera, with Schistostoma being notably diverse. Extinct species in Microphorites exhibit remarkable leg modifications suggesting complex behavioral adaptations.
Oonopidae
Goblin spiders
Oonopidae, commonly known as goblin spiders, is a diverse family of minute spiders comprising approximately 2,000 described species across 115 genera worldwide, with total species diversity estimated at 2,000–2,500. These spiders are characterized by their tiny size (typically 1–3 mm), reduced eye number (usually six, though some species have four, two, or are completely eyeless), and frequently exhibit unusual morphological modifications in males. The family shows remarkable morphological diversity including hardened abdominal plates (scuta), modified mouthparts, sternal pouches, and elaborate pedipalp structures. Goblin spiders are predominantly ground-dwelling, inhabiting leaf litter, soil, and rock crevices, with some lineages adapted to canopy habitats, caves, or termite nests. The family has an extensive fossil record in amber deposits dating back over 100 million years, with Orchestina already widespread by the end of the Cretaceous.
Porricondylinae
gall midges, wood midges
Porricondylinae is a subfamily of gall midges and wood midges in the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Members are primarily mycophagous (fungus-feeding), with larvae developing in decaying wood, fungi, or other organic substrates. The subfamily contains three tribes—Asynaptini, Dicerurini, and Porricondylini—encompassing over 100 described genera. Many species exhibit distinctive roosting behavior on spider webs, where they suspend themselves from non-sticky foundation threads to avoid predation.
Ptilodactyla
toe-winged beetles
Ptilodactyla is a large and cosmopolitan genus of toe-winged beetles comprising approximately 370–380 described species, representing roughly 70% of all species in the family Ptilodactylidae. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including pectinate male antennae with articulated rami, incomplete lateral pronotal carinae anteriorly, concealed trochantins, and pseudotetramerous tarsi with reduced tarsomere IV and lobed tarsomere III. Fossil records extend to the Eocene, with specimens described from Baltic amber (Russia) and Rovno amber (Ukraine). Some species have been introduced outside their native ranges through human activity.
Ptilodactylidae
Toe-winged Beetles
Ptilodactylidae is a family of approximately 500 extant species in 35 genera, commonly known as toe-winged beetles. The family belongs to the superfamily Dryopoidea within Elateriformia. Members are primarily associated with riparian and aquatic habitats, with larvae typically found in rotting wood, vegetation, or gravel and detritus at water margins. The family has a significant but underappreciated fossil record, including specimens preserved in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Rovno amber dating from the Cretaceous through Eocene.