A New Interesting Moth Lacewing (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) from the Mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber
Yuying Li, Siting Liu, Shumin Li, Jie Yang, Chaofan Shi, Dong Ren, Qiang Yang

TL;DR
A new species of ancient moth lacewing, Cretithone zhangi, was discovered in mid-Cretaceous amber, offering insights into the evolutionary history of Ithonidae.
Contribution
The discovery and description of a new genus and species of Ithonidae from mid-Cretaceous amber, providing new fossil calibration for the group.
Findings
Cretithone zhangi is a new genus and species of Ithonidae from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber.
The new species is distinguished by unique forewing venation patterns, including fused veins and specific branching configurations.
Cretithone is closely related to Phyllithone, based on shared forewing characteristics.
Abstract
As a relict family within Neuroptera, Ithonidae sensu lato exhibit a relatively rich fossil record. However, severely underrepresented Cretaceous diversity (especially during the Late Cretaceous) and the lack of fossil calibration for key traits impede the comprehensive understanding of Ithonidae’s evolutionary history. This study describes one new genus and species from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, Cretithone zhangi gen. et sp. nov., and assigns it to the Principiala genus-group. Cretithone gen. nov. shows a closer systematic position to Phyllithone Liu, Lu, Wang, Xu and Zhuo, 2025, as evidenced by shared forewing characteristics. One new genus and species of Ithonidae, Cretithone zhangi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. Cretithone gen. nov. is distinguished from other fossil ithonids by the combination of the following characteristics:…
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Taxonomy
TopicsFossil Insects in Amber · Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology · Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
