Fossils are the preserved remains of animals and plants. Usually, when organisms turn into fossils over millions of years, their colors fade away. But scientists recently discovered fossils of 35 insects that have kept their bright hues! The fossils were found in the Asian country of Myanmar.
These ancient beetles, flies, and wasps were preserved inside amber. Amber is hardened resin, a sticky substance that some trees release when they are damaged. The resin trapped the bugs 99 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed Earth. Using powerful microscopes, scientists discovered that the tiny structures that make up the insects’ bodies were still intact. These structures reflect light and give the insects their color.
Animals can use color to blend in. Knowing what ancient animals looked like can reveal information on their lives, says study author Chenyang Cai.