Early Cretaceous snakefly larvae in amber from Lebanon, Myanmar, and France (Raphidioptera) ; American Museum novitates, no. 3598

Abstract

Snakefly (Raphidioptera) larvae are newly documented from the early Cretaceous ambers of Lebanon, Myanmar (Burma), and France. Previously only two Cretaceous larvae had been documented, one in late Cretaceous (Turonian) amber from New Jersey and another in early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Myanmar. The specimens discussed herein are likely representative of the extinct family Mesoraphidiidae, but definitive familial assignment is currently not possible. The new fossil material is described and placed into context with the known larval morphology of modern and fossil species, as well as with the geological history of the order as documented by the remains of adults.