Corresponding author: Michael S. Engel (
Academic editor: Michael Ohl
The family
Embiodea are one of the more infrequently encountered and investigated orders of insects. This is unfortunate given their remarkable morphological specializations, most of which relate to the production of and life within silken galleries. For example, the probasitarsus is greatly swollen and encompasses distinctive silk glands from which the galleries are spun. The wings are unique among the flying insects for their great flexibility, permitting individuals to move in reverse through their silken tunnels, but can be made more rigid by pumping haemolymph into distinctive ‘blood sinuses’, enabling them to gain temporary rigor and permit controlled flight. Females are apterous, while males can be either fully winged or shed their wings, much like termites. Even more fascinating is that where known, all species are gregarious, living in small colonies, much like their putative relatives among the
The relationship of Embiodea to other orders has been problematic, much like everything pertaining to the phylogeny of webspinners. Among the numerous competing hypotheses, those with the greatest support are a relationship to the Phasmatodea (e.g.,
Herein we provide the description of a new genus and species of fossil webspinner based on two exceptionally well preserved individuals (
Described fossil webspinners (updated from
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Miocene (Burdigalian) | Dominican Republic | |
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Miocene (Burdigalian) | Dominican Republic | |
Miocene (Burdigalian) | Dominican Republic | |
Miocene (Burdigalian) | Dominican Republic | |
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“ |
Eocene-Oligocene | Colorado |
Eocene (Lutetian) | Baltic | |
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Eocene (Ypresian) | India | |
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Cretaceous (Albian) | Myanmar | |
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Cretaceous (Albian) | Myanmar | |
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Jurassic (Bathonian) | Inner Mongolia, China | |
Jurassic (Bathonian) | Inner Mongolia, China |
* This species has been placed in the genus “
The age, origin, and biotic diversity of the Cambay amber are reviewed by
Mandibles depressed, with incisive teeth well differentiated from molar area. Wings without crossveins between MA1 and MA2; CuA frequently diffuse. Male 10T with a membranous area occupying base and center of sclerite; 10R and 10L connected by thin basal bar; 10RP2 present, short, thumb-like; 10LP1 a curved, apically-forked process; HP rectangular, centered; LC1 with setae on apical area.
The new generic name is a combination of Kumar (honoring Dr. Kumar Krishna, faithful colleague and dear friend, as well as the world’s leading authority on the systematics of
♂; AMNH Tad-261-A (
♂; AMNH Tad-253 (
As for the genus (
The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Mr. Ailan Hurley-Echevarria for his diligent efforts in processing and screening amber, during which he personally found one of the two specimens.
Photomicrograph of holotype male (Tad-261-A) of
Photomicrographs of paratype male (Tad-253) of
Line drawings of
Line drawings of
The phylogeny of most webspinner lineages remain contentious and in a state of flux. More importantly, numerous undescribed genera and species are known in collections and will likely have a strong influence on any estimations of relationship. It is therefore challenging to make fine determinations of the closest relatives for the Cambay amber fossils.
Considerable gratitude is extended to Ailan Hurley-Echevarria for his efforts in processing and screening amber, and to A. Sahni for his cooperation and encouragement of paleontological research in India. Photomicrographs were prepared by Ismael A. Hinojosa-Díaz under the direction of MSE. Partial support was provided by University of Kansas Ecology & Evolutionary Biology General Research Fund Allocation #2301465 (to MSE) and by funds provided to DAG by Robert G. Goelet, Chairman Emeritus of the AMNH Board of Trustees. This is a contribution of the Division of Entomology, University of Kansas Natural History Museum.