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Science

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Thu Jan 11, 2018, 12:29 AM Jan 2018

Meet the butterflies from 200 million years ago

By Helen Briggs
BBC News
3 hours ago

Newly discovered fossils show that moths and butterflies have been on the planet for at least 200 million years.

Scientists found fossilised butterfly scales the size of a speck of dust inside ancient rock from Germany.

The find pushes back the date for the origins of the Lepidoptera, one of the most prized and studied insect groups.

Researchers say they can learn more about the conservation of butterflies and moths by studying their early evolution.

More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42636275