Microraptor's World
Dragonfly
Aeschnidium
The tissue-thin membranes of this dragonfly's wings are so
immaculately preserved that it's easy to picture the insect skimming
along the surface of a lake at dusk 130 million years ago. Perhaps
the toxic gas of a volcanic eruption suffocated it, and a fine
coating of volcanic ash protected its fragile remains. Unlike their
comparatively colossal ancient forbears, which had wingspans
stretching over two feet, dragonflies of the Early Cretaceous were
similar in size and anatomy to those flying through wetlands today.