Chiapas Amber (Page 6)
Every specimen on this page comes in a display box, like the one on the left (no extra charge).
Item 1
A very unusual grouping of nymphs or wingless adults in the order Psocoptera. More likely these are wingless adults. I have never seen a grouping like this before - really neat.
Item 2
Nice sized chunk of Mexican amber. This piece has mammalian hair inside. Just image 20 million years ago a mammal brushing up against the sticky resin and leaving some of it's hairs behind. there is also an immature planthopper (small).
Item 3
A large piece of amber with a whip scorpion. Uropygi is an arachnid order comprising invertebrates commonly known as whip scorpions or vinegaroons (also spelled vinegarroons and vinegarones). The name "whip scorpion" refers to their resemblance to true scorpions and possession of a whiplike tail, and "vinegaroon" refers to their ability when attacked to discharge an offensive, vinegar-smelling liquid, which contains acetic acid. These are rare in amber - any amber. Also there is a male silverfish, a few ants and even what looks like a webspinner. It is the whip scorpion that is the main attraction.
Item 4
This is a show piece of a number of male, winged termites, well displayed. There are a few flies, one of which is a long legged fly, Dolichopodidae. This is just a nice piece of amber!
Item 5
If you like planthoppers, you will love this one, Order, Hemiptera, family Fulgoridea. the wings are spread and they even have a pattern on them. Also there is a cool, small, immature pseudoscorpion and even a plant bug, Miridae -then there are a few unknowns.
Item 6
Praying mantis: Order Orthoptera - one of a highly sought after animals in amber. It looks like a praying position, giving them the nickname "praying mantis". They could very well be called the "preying mantis" because they are fierce and fearless, attacking prey from small insects of small animals like lizards. You have to like this one. The price on this is particularly good.
Item 7
I always look for patterns on wings and such - this will not let you down. The wing structure on this beauty is perfect. Just fun to look at. The planthopper is ready to take off. There also is a fly, Nematocera.
Item 8
Clear amber with a bunch of termites scattered around. Enough and large enough to be an interesting piece - good price.
Item 9
There is something sharp about seeing a spider web in amber. While the spider cells are never there, the web looks like it was carried a ways - you can even see the sticky globules on the web (that catch the prey).
Item 10
Rare as hens teeth, this is a snake fly: Rhaphidioptera, Family, Inocellidae. Snake flies appear similar to lacewings except they have an elongated thorax. They are extremely rare in amber. The wings on this beauty are particularly interesting.
Item 11
2 unusual beetles. I am not going to try and ID these beetles, God made way to many of them. These are nice though.
Item 12
Stilt legged fly: The Micropezidae are a moderate-sized family of acalyptrate muscoid flies in the insect order Diptera. These insects are commonly called stilt-legged flies, after their characteristically long legs. The fore legs are markedly smaller than the other pairs. Mostly, they are long-bodied, often black flies, usually with infuscated (darkened) wings. This one is perfect.
Item 13
Order Hemiptera, family Termitaphidae. These animals live only in termite chambers. Their extremely flattened body is expanded along the edges to conceal the head and legs. Viewed from the top, these insects appear as miniature chitons attached to marine rocks. he food habits of termite bugs are unknown although, because of their long and slender mouth parts, they are thought to feed on fungi. A very unique animal.
Item 14
Here is another one of the beetles that I am not going to even try and ID, nice, but beetles like this just frost my cookies! There are certainly a lot of headless ants around. this beetle must have attacked a horde of ants and chopped off their heads.
Item 15
Moth or butterfly - just not sure. It is a good size (for a moth or butterfly in amber) and one can see it without a microscope. The wings are good and the close up of the head is excellent. I like this moth, it is just good.
Item 16
Here it is: a bee hive in amber. This is a VERY rare occurrence. You might find bees in amber, but never parts of the hive. This piece and number 27 below are as rare as it gets. The bee is a tropical stingless bee, Order, Hymenoptera: Family, Apidae: Meliponini; Genus, Proplebeia; species, dominicana.
Both #16 and #27
Item 17
This is a monster Isopod. While I admit, I do not know my isopods, this is spectacular. Almost like a fossil in limestone, this isopod extends on one side protruding from the amber. It is not fully encased in the amber. The pictures do show the specimen well. The curled isopod is almost 1/2 an inch in size! There are some small leaves scattered around.
Item 18
If you have gotten down this far on the page, you will be shocked to see a perfect female mosquito. One of the best I have ever seen. The amber is clear and this gal just 'jumps' out at you. This is like Jurassic Park re-visited. It is a museum piece. Mosquito are rare in amber since they are not attracted by the resinous odors emanating form the resins. It is by rare chance that they become stuck in the resin.
Item 19
No insects, just 20 million year old air bubbles - and lots of them to boot! A piece of amber to be marveled at - who knows there might be a virus inside the air bubbles that would wipe out life on earth..........
Item 20
A lovely example of a long legged fly: Diptera, Brachycera:Dolichopodidae. It photographs well, I love the eyes. The piece is roughly rectangular.
Item 21
A piece of amber about 3/4 of an inch in length with a butterfly inside. The butterfly is not large, but it certainly looks good. Take a look at the wings, very special. Butterflies are rather rare.
Item 22
Not sure as to the type of beetle, but the amber is interesting. Rather spherical with one part flat. Interesting effects.
Item 24
While I am not 100% sure, I think this is a handsome fungus beetle, Coleoptera, Endomychidae (?). But what I am sure of are the markings on the dorsal side of the animal - amazing.
Item 25
Yup, take that second look, this is a house centipede. There is also a leaf beetle, Chrysomelidae and even a small caddis fly, Trichoptera.
Item 26
A very nice cricket trying to get out of the amber. The amber is smallish but the cricket is good sized.
Item 27
Here it is: a bee hive in amber. This is a VERY rare occurrence. You might find bees in amber, but never parts of the hive. This piece and number 27 below are as rare as it gets. The bee is a tropical stingless bee, Order, Hymenoptera: Family, Apidae: Meliponini; Genus, Proplebeia; species, dominicana.
Both Numbers 16 & 27
Item 28
This is the rare praying mantis. It is a juvenile mantis, but it is in the perfect position. You will love this piece and the price is right also (still expensive...). These mantis's are very rare and command a very high price.
Item 29
A very large piece of amber. The value might be more in the size and weight than the specimen. There is a small cricket and a small leaf inside. The amber is very clear.
Item 30
A beautiful example of a tropical stingless bee: Order, Hymenoptera, Family, Apidae:Meliponini, Genus, Proplebeia, Species, dominicana. The bee just 'jumps' out at you.
