Bug fossil could be oldest ever

NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass.—Tufts University researchers have uncovered what they believe is the oldest fossil of a flying insect in a rock outcropping behind a strip mall.

The 300 million-year-old specimen is a detailed, full-body impression made when the winged insect apparently landed in mud in what is now North Attleborough.

There’s no evidence of wings, but Tufts geology professor Jake Benner noted Wednesday there are no walking tracks leading to the impression.

Tufts geology major Richard Knecht and Benner decided to investigate the site based on a 1929 master’s thesis on rocks in the area.

The thesis mentioned in passing a possible sighting of an ancient amphibian track. That indicated to Knecht that more fossils might be in the area.

The researchers say the fossil, discovered in August 2007, can provide rare information about the insect’s anatomy, and how it moved.