Rare, Jurassic-Era Giant Insect Discovered at Arkansas Walmart...A trip to buy milk turned into a stunning entomological find.

CNet ^ | March 1, 2023 2:37 p.m. PT | Amanda Kooser

[Red Badger]

This giant lacewing may hint at hidden populations of the insect in Arkansas. Michael Skvarla/Penn State Back in 2012, entomologist Michael Skvarla stopped at a Walmart in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to pick up some milk. On the way in, he spotted a large, unusual insect on the side of the building. So he snagged it, took it shopping, brought it home and mounted it, thinking it was an antlion, a type of flying insect. Years later, he discovered it was something much rarer: an insect with an ancient history.

Penn State shared the story of Skvarla's find on Monday. Skvarla is director of the university's Insect Identification Lab. "The Polystoechotes punctata or giant lacewing is the first of its kind recorded in eastern North America in over 50 years -- and the first record of the species ever in the state," Penn State said in a statement.

Skvarla corrected the initial misidentification while teaching a Zoom class in 2020 where he shared his personal insect collection with the students. Together, they worked out the new ID, which DNA analysis later confirmed. The results appear in a study published late last year in the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington.

Researchers have found giant lacewing fossils dating back to around 165 million years ago during the Jurassic era. The one found in Arkansas has a wingspan of about 2 inches (50 millimeters).

Scientists are unsure why giant lacewings disappeared from eastern North America. Predators, urbanization or changes in the insects' forest environments may have played a role. "This discovery suggests there may be relictual populations of this large, charismatic insect yet to be discovered," the study said. Essentially, there could be hidden groups of giant lacewings flying under the radar in Arkansas. The one on the side of the Walmart may have been attracted to the store's lights at night.

This is a story of rediscovery, but also one about the joys of science. Penn State entomology doctoral student Codey Mathis remembers the class and the process of identification, saying, "It was so gratifying to know that the excitement doesn't dim, the wonder isn't lost. Here we were making a true discovery in the middle of an online lab course."

First published on Feb. 28, 2023 9:36 a.m. PT

[null and void]

Air pressures were at least 4 times higher than today, with higher oxygen levels that made huge flying insects possible.

Then what happened?

What happens when a 7 mile diameter asteroid hits a shallow sea?

It creates a 120 wide white-hot crater on the sea floor. Sea water pours in from all sides and instantly flashes to steam.

Confined like a rocket nozzle by the crater sides and the wall of incoming seawater, it has only one way to go, straight up to space, sweeping the surrounding air with it.

How long does it take for the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to quench the exposed magma?

Apparently long enough to blow ¾ of the atmosphere out into space...

[null and void]

We had one resting on a window screen. Impressive critter.

[Clay Moore]

42 responses and no Far Side references yet? This place is slipping!
https://twitter.com/americanbeetles/status/1387484380487200777

[csvset]

Nice woodland camo

Sphingidae Is an interesting group. Tomato Hornworms are part of it.

[Hot Tabasco]

On the way in, he spotted a large, unusual insect on the side of the building. So he snagged it,

giant lacewing is the first of its kind recorded in eastern North America in over 50 years -- and the first record of the species ever in the state,"

That lacewing was probably passed by 100 shoppers that day, with nobody paying attention. They're probably more common than what these experts claim, it's just that this one was seen and caught by someone who was interested in bugs.

I probably would have picked it up and taken it home, just figuring it was just a dragonfly.

As a side note, on one of my vacations to Honduras, I took a photo of a big moth I had see on a tree. Over the course of about two years and several emails to the head of a butterfly museum in La Ceiba, Honduras, asking for identification of the moth, the curator finally responded.

I then contacted a butterfly guy in Arizona who collects them and mounts them for schools and universities and asked him if he had one of these moths that he could mount and frame for me. I have it hanging the wall.

[Hot Tabasco]

I’ve seen Luna moths (possibly the most beautiful critter in the class ‘insecta’) as big or bigger than this ‘giant’.

I'll agree with that. I've only seen a couple in my lifetime here in Michigan

Here's something I just read:

there are approximately 8 species of moth to every single species of butterfly on the planet.

[flaglady47]

LOL, creative, good one.

[minnesota_bound]

It better not go to a Kmart as endangered Spotted Owls nest in the signs. <- true story. They need old growth trees to survive we were told when actually they need old Kmart signs.

[Jamestown1630]

There are lots of moths that are arguably as - or more - beautiful than butterflies. The ART of some of these designs is amazing, and it’s very difficult to believe that it’s all just ‘accidental’, and not the result of an original intelligent design or plan. (Next to the Luna, I’m especially fond of the Oleander Hawk-Moth):

https://www.treehugger.com/moth-species-more-beautiful-than-butterflies-4864257

[Hot Tabasco]

Thanks, those were beautiful moths......

A friend's wife has a section in her back yard garden with milkweed plants. Every year monarchs come in and lay their eggs on the leaves and she brings them into the house and raises them in an insect cage I built for her. I think last year she raised over 50 caterpillars to maturity and released them.

I don't know how they find her plants each year because it's a small backyard surrounded tucked into a wooded area. If I didn't know better, I would say the ones that arrive there are ones that were released the prior fall.

Anyway, it's pretty cool and she usually gives me several and some for my neighbor for our insect cages.

[Jamestown1630]

'If I didn't know better, I would say the ones that arrive there are ones that were released the prior fall.'

Who knows? Migrating birds often return to the same backyard, year after year, to nest; and insects probably don't travel anywhere near as far as birds do.

(I don't know where your friend is, but Milkweed is good for goldfinches, too. They use the 'down' to line their nests.)

[Red Badger]

WTF IZZAT???......................

[Red Badger]

Death's Head Moth?.....................

[moovova]

Hah...that’s a giant lacewing! See the lace on her wings?

Actually, one of the many Wal-Mart “beauties” whose pictures make it online. There are a ton of them. But, she fit the correct kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.

I’m sorry I did that to you.

[Red Badger]

Looks like Eugene Levy in drag!.................

[moovova]

Lol!