Scientists' New Unique Discovery Made Public

German biologists have made a sensational discovery that could rewrite the pages of the evolutionary history of Lepidoptera. In a piece of amber extracted in the Russian city of Yantarny, researchers discovered an incredibly rare find - a butterfly egg that is over 30 million years old. The results of this unique research have been published in the scientific journal Palaeontologia Electronica.

The ancient embryo, frozen in the resin of a prehistoric tree, overcame a colossal time barrier to reach the hands of modern scientists. Specialists emphasize that the amber sample was acquired from a reliable supplier, and its authenticity is beyond doubt - under ultraviolet radiation, the stone exhibits a characteristic blue glow. Through detailed study of the morphological features of the egg, researchers were able to classify the find as a representative of a previously unknown genus and species.

In the world of paleontology, discovering remains of butterflies and moths in amber is considered exceptionally rare. This is due to the extreme fragility of their wings, which very rarely preserve in pristine condition in tree resin.

The discovered egg was given the scientific name Eolimenitis baltica and was classified as belonging to the Nymphalidae family. In its structure, it is most similar to the eggs of modern butterflies of the genus Adelpha, which also belong to the Nymphalidae. The name of the new genus has deep symbolism - it comes from the Greek word Eos, meaning "goddess of the dawn," while the species name baltica indicates the find's origin from Baltic amber.

During the study, scientists determined that the closest modern relatives of the ancient butterfly are admirals - diurnal butterflies distinguished by their bright, colorful wing patterns. The ecosystem of the Baltic amber forest, where this prehistoric insect lived, was a humid mixed forest with a variety of broadleaf and coniferous trees. In its characteristics, this habitat resembled the modern subtropical forests of East Asia - the main distribution area of present-day admirals.