Miocene
Guides
Blera
Wood Flies
Blera is a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) established by Billberg in 1820. The genus is primarily North American in distribution, with approximately three European species. One species, Blera fallax (pine hoverfly), has been the subject of conservation translocation efforts in Britain since 2018. A fossil species, Blera miocenica, has been described from Early Miocene deposits in the Czech Republic, representing the first known fossil record of the genus.
Cryptorhynchina
hidden-snout weevils
Cryptorhynchina is a subtribe of weevils within the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae, commonly known as hidden-snout weevils. The group has gained scientific attention through fossil evidence showing that at least one extinct species within this lineage served as an orchid pollinator approximately 20–45 million years ago. No present-day members of this subtribe have been documented carrying orchid pollinaria, though this absence may reflect their secretive behavior rather than lack of ecological interaction.
Helophorus sibiricus
Helophorus sibiricus is a water scavenger beetle notable for its exceptional longevity as a species. Fossil specimens from the Early Miocene (16-23 million years ago) of western Siberia have been reliably assigned to this extant species, making it one of the longest-documented living insect species. It inhabits standing waters across a broad Holarctic range.
Merothrips
Merothrips is a genus of thrips comprising approximately 19 described species in the family Merothripidae. The genus includes both extant species found in subtropical regions and fossil species preserved in amber. Merothrips species have been documented in South America, particularly Brazil, where multiple species occur in sympatry. A fossil species, Merothrips aithiopicus, was described from Miocene-aged Ethiopian amber.