The discovery of extraordinarily well-preserved, 47-million-year-old moths in Germany sheds light on the insects' ancient world. Not only do these beautifully fossilized moths provide the first conclusive evidence of wing coloration in insects this old, but they also demonstrate that many of the insects lived in forests rather than open fields, contradicting previous assumptions about the Eocene environment.

For the first time in the fossil record, the tiny hairs that gave the moths their brown, mottled appearance have been preserved. This preservation quality is comparable to that of amber-encased insects, typically known for their exceptional preservation.

Researchers can use this remarkable insight into evolutionary history to examine how ancient environmental changes impacted insect diversity and adaptation over geological timescales. These fossilized moths provide further evidence of the Eocene's rich and diverse forests, indicating that our understanding of the ancient world is incomplete and continually evolving.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-02012-3 (Scientific Publication)