Extremely Rare Insect Fossils Unearthed in New Zealand Lake

Researchers in New Zealand have discovered exceptionally well-preserved fossilized whiteflies from the Miocene period in a lake near Dunedin. These tiny insects, found attached to a fossilized leaf, offer a rare glimpse into the ancient biodiversity of the South Pacific. The discovery is significant as it represents the first of its kind in New Zealand and only the third globally, highlighting the importance of insects in understanding ancient ecosystems.