The first damselfly from the Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Odonata, Zygoptera, Lestomorpha)

Abstract

We report the discovery of the fi rst damselfl y in the Lower Cretaceous amber of Lebanon. This damselfl y is somehow similar in size and wing shape to the Mesozoic hemiphlebiid of Russia, England, Jordan and Brazil which suggests that the group of small lestid-like Zygoptera was widespread and well diverse during that period and probably very old.

Zygoptera are a phantom group between the Late Triassic, their probable time of appearance, and the Upper Jurassic, period of their fi rst diversifi cation.

Keywords

• Odonata
• Zygoptera
• Lestomorpha
• new genus
• new species
• Lebanese amber
• Lower Cretaceous
• Mesozoic