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112-Million-Year Amber Uncovers Ancient Insect Diversity in Ecuador

9/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A 112-million-year amber from Ecuador's Genoveva quarry reveals insects, the first such find in South America.
Beetles, flies, ants, and wasps in the amber illuminate Cretaceous biodiversity and early plant–insect relationships.
Formation by resin from ancient conifers implies a humid Gondwanan rainforest; researchers will continue studying Cretaceous ecosystems, noting amber colors range from translucent yellow to greenish or reddish.

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Story summary

A 112-million-year amber from Ecuador's Genoveva quarry reveals insects, the first such find in South America.
Beetles, flies, ants, and wasps in the amber illuminate Cretaceous biodiversity and early plant–insect relationships.
Formation by resin from ancient conifers implies a humid Gondwanan rainforest; researchers will continue studying Cretaceous ecosystems, noting amber colors range from translucent yellow to greenish or reddish.