This ‘praying’ mantis is perfectly preserved within a flawless piece of Dominican amber from the Oligocene period—dating back an astonishing 23 to 33.9 million years.
The amber itself derives from the extinct Hymenaea protera, a prehistoric leguminous tree. Most amber found in Central and South America comes from its resin.
Amber from the Dominican Republic is known as Dominican resin, which is noted for its clarity.
Locked in nature’s time capsule, every delicate detail from its slender legs to its fragile antennae remains intact, as if it were paused mid-movement all those millions of years ago.
Discovered in the Dominican Republic and auctioned by Heritage Auctions.
