A strangely shaped insect, believed to have co-existed with dinosaurs, was found trapped in an amber. The amber was retrieved in Myanmar. So far, only two specimens of the insect have been found. Both the specimens are preserved in amber.
The insect has long legs and antenna, which are common in present insects. However, this rare insect also features a triangular head, which makes it look like perceived aliens. It is believed that the insect lived nearly 100 million years ago and survived on substances such as fungi and mites, making it omnivorous.
The researchers also said that the insect is unlike anything else entomologists have witnessed before. George Poinar Jr. and Alex Brown of Oregon State University said that the new insect has been given the name of Aethiocarenus burmanicus.
Dr. Poinar also added, "This insect has a number of features that just don't match those of any other insect species that I know." According to the Smithsonian encyclopedia, there are more than 900,000 known species of insects, constituting nearly 80 percent of the world's species.
These insects are grouped into 31 orders. Recognition of Aethiocarenus burmanicus takes this number up to 32. The researchers said that the most unique feature of this insect is its dorsum, which is shaped like a triangle and its positioning. They said while triangular head is common for insects, this bug has hypotenuse at the top and vertex positioned at the base of the neck.
The insect also has its eyes wide apart, on the sides of its head. The positioning suggests that the insect may have been able to have a 180 degree view, with just a turn of the head. It is also assumed that the insect probably had a neck gland which could have secreted a chemical to keep the predators away.