Name:
Hydrophilius sp. (Beetle)
Age: Pleistocene
Formation: Rancho La Brea Tar
Location: Kern County, California
Size: Beetle is 1.4 inches long
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Here is a very unusual fossil. This is a phenominal fossil beetle, Hydrophilius sp., preserved in tar from the Pleistocene ''La Brea Tar Pits'' of California. This specimen was acquired at the Tucson show in the late 1980's-early 1990's direct from the collector. It was not collected in a classic pit - the site was on oil company (Shell?) land that had construction and opened a small site that was quickly built on. This fossil was collected legally with permission from the oil company - this location has been closed to collecting for many, many years. The beetle is very well preserved in a 3-dimensional fashion. The detail is excellent - the reticulation of the wing covers is easily seen. The dark insect contrasts nicely with the lighter surface of the tar matrix. This is a very unique fossil insect from a classic fossil area.
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