Image Gallery: Tiny Insect Pollinators Trapped in Amber

Ancient Thrip in Action

Reconstruction of <em>Gymnospollisthrips</em> with pollen attached to the body over an ovulate organ of a gingko.

(Image credit: Enrique Peñalver, IGME.)

Reconstruction of Gymnospollisthrips with pollen attached to the body over an ovulate organ of a gingko.

Ancient Pollinator

A synchrotron X-ray image of the specimen of <em>Gymnospollisthrips minor</em>, showing the pollen grains (yellow) covering its body.

(Image credit: ESRF)

A synchrotron X-ray image of the specimen of Gymnospollisthrips minor, showing the pollen grains (yellow) covering its body.

Pollen Particles

This photo taken under a microscope reveals Gymnosperm pollen, attached to the abdomen and wing of a <em>Gymnopollisthrips</em> fossilized insect inclusion in amber.

(Image credit: Enrique Peñalver/IGME)

This photo taken under a microscope reveals Gymnosperm pollen, attached to the abdomen and wing of a Gymnopollisthrips fossilized insect inclusion in amber.

I'm Trapped!

Trapped in amber, a specimen of <em>Gymnospollisthrips maior</em> with pollen grains attached to itsbody.

(Image credit: Enrique Peñalver, IGME)

Trapped in amber, a specimen of Gymnospollisthrips maior with pollen grains attached to itsbody.

X-Ray Vision

The researchers used synchrotron X-ray tomography to get a close look at the thrip and attached pollen grains veiled by the amber. Shown here, an amber sample mounted in the microtomograph to be imaged.

(Image credit: ESRF/I.Montero)

The researchers used synchrotron X-ray tomography to get a close look at the thrip and attached pollen grains veiled by the amber. Shown here, an amber sample mounted in the microtomograph to be imaged.

Jeanna Bryner
Live Science Editor-in-Chief

Jeanna served as editor-in-chief of Live Science. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Scholastic's Science World magazine. Jeanna has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master's degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland, and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.