Dragonfly Fossils For Sale

True dragonflies (Order Odonata) first appeared during the Jurassic, though similar insects commonly referred to as dragonflies date back to the Carboniferous. While most early dragonflies were not a lot bigger than modern ones, members of the Order Meganisoptera got huge, with wingspans reaching nearly 2 1/2 feet! The Solnhofen limestone in Germany is the most famous locality for fossil dragonflies, but they are also commonly found in the Crato Formation of Brazil and in China.

Detailed Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #301482

5.05" Detailed Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Huge, Fossil Dragonfly (Aeschnogomphus) - Solnhofen Limestone #240228

Huge, 7" Fossil Dragonfly (Aeschnogomphus) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Stunning Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone #280448

5.45" Stunning Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Huge, Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone #227343

5.7" Huge, Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Huge, Fossil Dragonfly with Dendrites - Solnhofen Limestone #279059

4.9" Huge, Fossil Dragonfly with Dendrites - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg) - Solnhofen Limestone #169836

4.2" Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Protolindea) - Solnhofen Limestone #132724

6" Fossil Dragonfly (Protolindea) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg Pair) - Solnhofen Limestone #63374

4.1" Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg Pair) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg) - Solnhofen Limestone (Special Price) #92470

2.6" Fossil Dragonfly (Pos/Neg) - Solnhofen Limestone (Special Price)

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Large, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #227334

5.9" Large, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone #190189

5.6" Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Mesuropetala) - Solnhofen Limestone #129243

4.2" Fossil Dragonfly (Mesuropetala) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Isophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone #93229

5.3" Fossil Dragonfly (Isophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Detailed Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #280458

4.75" Detailed Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Stenophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone #190190

4.3" Fossil Dragonfly (Stenophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Damselfly (Zygoptera) - Solnhofen Limestone #188742

3.8" Fossil Damselfly (Zygoptera) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Mesuropetula) - Solnhofen Limestone #132722

4.7" Fossil Dragonfly (Mesuropetula) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia) & Ammonite - Solnhofen Limestone #263438

4.4" Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia) & Ammonite - Solnhofen Limestone

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Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone, Germany #190191

3.5" Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone, Germany

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Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone #206592

3.9" Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia) With Great Eyes #157230

2.5" Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia) With Great Eyes

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Fossil Dragonfly With Coprolite (Pos/Neg) - Germany #92469

1.9" Fossil Dragonfly With Coprolite (Pos/Neg) - Germany

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Huge, Fossil Dragonfly (Isophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone #157227

Huge, 5.6" Fossil Dragonfly (Isophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Jurassic-Aged Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #235800

3.6" Jurassic-Aged Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly (Aeschnogomphus) - Solnhofen Limestone #77952

3.2" Fossil Dragonfly (Aeschnogomphus) - Solnhofen Limestone

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Long, Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #146536

2.7" Long, Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly With Floating Crinoids - Solnhofen Limestone #107568

3.15" Fossil Dragonfly With Floating Crinoids - Solnhofen Limestone

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Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #103617

3" Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone #113342

2.6" Jurassic, Fossil Dragonfly - Solnhofen Limestone

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Partial Fossil Dragonfly (Odonata) - Cereste, France #256319

1.9" Partial Fossil Dragonfly (Odonata) - Cereste, France

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What Are Dragonflies And Damselflies?

Dragon and damselflies are predatory insects with long slender bodies and transparent, highly veined wings. They have large eyes and the ability to move them independent of their bodies, making it appear as if they are turning their heads. They have heavy toothed mandibles for grasping and consuming prey. In flight they appear to move easily with little effort.

How Are Dragonflies Different From Damselflies?

Both dragonflies and damselflies are insects of the Order Odonata. The two are commonly called dragonflies but have some distinct differences. The easiest difference to distinguish between them is that dragonflies hold their wings out to the side at rest, while damselflies hold theirs along their bodies.

When Did The First Dragonfly Appear In The Fossil Record?

Modern members of the Order Odonata appear in the Triassic Period in the form of damselflies, and dragonflies appeared later in the Jurassic Period. Earlier forms of dragonflies appear in the late Carboniferous and early Permian.

How Are Earlier Forms Of Dragonfly Different From Modern Ones?

The biggest scientific difference between early forms and modern dragonflies can be seen in the vein patterns of the wings. Modern dragonfly wings are divided into small regular squares, rectangles, and other polygons. Early Dragonfly wings were not divided into cells, but instead the veins branched from the front of the wing in arcing curves to the back. In some cases, size was another distinction between early and modern dragonflies.

Are Dragonflies The Biggest Insects Ever Found?

An early form of dragonfly was the largest insect ever found! In the late Carboniferous and throughout the Permian Period, insects of the Order Meganisoptera flourished. One of these, Meganeuropsis permiana, grew very large. It had a wingspan of about 30 inches (75 cm) and a body about 18 inches (47cm) long. There were several other large Meganisoptera, but M. permiana was the biggest.

Why Are There No Longer Any Giant Dragonflies?

Due to thier exoskeletons and respiratory systems, insects have size limits. The bigger the insect, or any living body, the greater its oxygen needs are. For humans, we simply take deeper breaths as our oxygen needs go up: running is a good example. Because of how their bodies are built, insects cannot do this. For them to increase oxygen intake, more oxygen needs to be available in the air. Currently, oxygen makes up about twenty one percent of our air. This is not enough to support insect life much bigger than current size. Oxygen levels during the Permian are estimated to have been thirty to thirty five percent of the total atmosphere, making bigger insects possible.

Why Did Meganeuropsis Die Out?

There is a bit of controversy surrounding the reason for the extinction of giant dragonflies. One theory holds that when the oxygen levels dropped during the Permian Extinction, Meganeuropsis was no longer able to meet its oxygen needs. Another theory is that they were out-competed by new, more efficient species. Another theory even holds that they survived the Permian Extinction only to become food for the newly emerging flying dinosaurs. The actual cause of their extinction is likely some combination of these.

What Did Fossil Dragonflies Eat?

Dragonflies and damselflies, whether from 200 million years ago or today, still have the same feeding habits. They are carnivores that feed on anything they can catch. As adults, they primarily eat other insects and invertebrates. As nymphs they eat small fish, invertebrates, other water insects. They are voracious and highly effective predators.

Featured Photos

Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone #92466

Fossil Dragonfly (Cymatophlebia) - Solnhofen Limestone #92464

DRAGONFLY FOSSILS FOR SALE

What Are Dragonflies And Damselflies?

How Are Dragonflies Different From Damselflies?

When Did The First Dragonfly Appear In The Fossil Record?

How Are Earlier Forms Of Dragonfly Different From Modern Ones?

Are Dragonflies The Biggest Insects Ever Found?

Why Are There No Longer Any Giant Dragonflies?

Why Did Meganeuropsis Die Out?

What Did Fossil Dragonflies Eat?

Featured Photos