Nature Notebook

Were butterflies around in the time of the dinosaurs? The daintiness of a butterfly’s body makes the odds of finding fossilized remains nearly impossible. However, some sharp-eyed scientists have found some. Until recently, the oldest specimen dated 130 million years ago in the Cretaceous Period, a time when dinosaurs also existed. These early butterflies were likely rather bland looking. It is hypothesized that the brilliant coloration did not develop until after the dinosaur extinction.

Want to read more?

Subscribe to tricityrecord.com to keep reading this exclusive post.

Subscribe Now