A tiny insect that lived 99 million years ago has been found in a piece of amber, and scientists say it represents a species that had never been described before. The fossil comes from the age of the dinosaurs, and the researchers who studied it have named the creature Cretodorus noonoo, which they call “Noo-Noo.”
The discovery was made by a team from the School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Their work has now been published, and the find offers a rare look at an ancient ecosystem that left almost no trace elsewhere.
Trapped in Resin
The insect was trapped in tree resin, which hardened into amber. That amber preserved the specimen so well that researchers could study its shape, size and features in detail. The preservation is what makes the find notable — soft-bodied insects rarely survive the fossil record at all.
Amber fossils are particularly valuable because they often contain entire organisms, including wings, legs and other delicate structures. In this case, the specimen’s condition allowed the researchers to see enough to distinguish it from any previously known species.
What the Specimen Shows
Cretodorus noonoo was a small insect, though the exact size is not stated. Its name is the formal scientific designation for the species.
The fossil itself carries evidence of the creature’s form, though the source does not describe its appearance in great detail. What is clear is that the researchers were able to determine that it did not match any known species.
A Long Wait
Finding a new species in amber is not common, but it happens. What makes this particular discovery stand out is the age of the specimen — 99 million years is a long time for a fossil to survive, and the fact that it was preserved in such a way that its identity could be determined is remarkable.
The preservation quality is key. Amber preserves specimens in three dimensions, with fine detail intact, making comparisons against living and extinct forms possible.
Naming the Find
The name “Noo-Noo” is the colloquial term used by researchers to describe the fossil. The formal genus name, Cretodorus, is the scientific designation for the species.
The full scientific name, Cretodorus noonoo, combines the formal binomial system with the colloquial nickname. That combination is unusual in scientific nomenclature, though it is not unheard of for researchers to use affectionate or descriptive terms alongside official names.
The Research Team
The research was carried out by a team from the School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. The institutions are clearly identified as the originators of the work.
The collaboration between the two organizations suggests a shared focus on paleontology and natural history.
Why This Matters
New species discoveries are always interesting, but this one carries extra weight because of its age. The Cretaceous period was a time of great biological diversity, and finding a previously unknown insect from that era adds to our understanding of the ecosystems that existed back then.
The discovery also highlights the value of amber as a preservative. Without the resin that trapped this insect, its existence might have remained unknown to science.
The Future of the Find
The researchers have published their findings, which means the description of Cretodorus noonoo is now part of the scientific record. Other researchers will be able to compare their own specimens against it, and the species will take its place among the catalogued fauna of the Cretaceous.
The name “Noo-Noo” is likely to stick, too. Informal labels often survive in scientific literature, especially when they are memorable.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 99 million years |
| Period | Cretaceous, age of the dinosaurs |
| Preservation | Trapped in tree resin, turned to amber |
| Location | Not specified |
| Name | Cretodorus noonoo (“Noo-Noo”) |
| Comparison | New Species | Known Species |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Previously unknown | Already catalogued |
| Name | Cretodorus noonoo (“Noo-Noo”) | Varies widely |
| Age | 99 million years | Varies widely |
| Preservation | Amber | Varies widely |
The discovery of Cretodorus noonoo is a reminder of how much we still have to learn about life in deep time. A tiny insect, frozen in resin, has become a window into an ancient world — and its name is a smile.
Source material: “Rare insect discovery reveals a new species from the dinosaur age,” Phys.org.
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