Discovering Ancient Whitefly Fossils in New Zealand

A recent study published in Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments has uncovered incredibly small insect fossils that are barely visible to the naked eye but have been remarkably well-preserved. These whitefly fossils, which were discovered in Miocene-era sediments of a crater lake at Hindon Maar, near Dunedin, offer a unique glimpse into ancient life.

Adult whiteflies are minuscule, measuring around 3mm, with the immature stages being even smaller. The fossils found at Hindon Maar measure only 1.5mm by 1.25mm and are preserved in their original position, attached to the bottom of a fossil leaf.

These ancient whiteflies share some traits with their modern counterparts, such as their black, oval-shaped bodies, but they differ in the distinct segmentation of their bodies, which is marked by deep sutures. Dr. Uwe Kaulfuss, a co-author from the University of Göttingen, made this discovery during an excavation at Hindon Maar earlier this year.

While it is not uncommon to find adult whitefly fossils, the discovery of the puparia—the protective casing the insect emerges from—is an extraordinary find. Dr. Kaulfuss explains that around 15 million years ago, the leaf containing the puparia detached from a tree, was blown into the lake, sank to the bottom, and quickly became covered by sediment, preserving the fossils in incredible detail.

Dr. Daphne Lee, co-author and expert from Otago University, highlights the rarity of these fossils, stating that they are the first of their kind found in New Zealand and only the third example of fossil puparia known worldwide. She also notes that the increasing number of insect fossils found in the Otago region is significantly enhancing our understanding of ancient insect life.

Previously, only a handful of insects older than the Ice Ages were known in New Zealand. However, the discovery of over 750 insect species—most housed at the Otago Geology Department—has dramatically expanded knowledge of ancient insect fauna in the country. These findings shed light on the role of insects in ancient forests and help scientists gain deeper insights into New Zealand’s biodiversity and the history of its ecosystems.

Professor Lee further emphasizes that although larger fossils tend to capture more attention, insects are crucial to forest ecosystems. With over 14,000 insect species in New Zealand, 90% of which are endemic, these discoveries show that insects like the whiteflies have been part of New Zealand’s environment for at least 15 million years, providing valuable data for molecular phylogenetic studies.

In addition, this year’s excavations in Otago have also yielded fossils of other previously unknown species, including danceflies, craneflies, phantom midges, and marsh beetles, further enriching the understanding of the region’s ancient insect life.