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Background <p>The Cretaceous rise of angiosperms profoundly reshaped terrestrial ecosystems, yet direct fossil evidence of early insect–angiosperm interactions remains scarce. Here, we re-examine a key mid-Cretaceous amber inclusion from Kachin, Myanmar, previously reported to preserve a pollen-bearing beetle (<i>Angimordella burmitina</i>) in close association with eudicot pollen.</p> Results <p>Our reassessment supports the recent transfer of <i>Angimordella</i> from Mordellinae (crown-group Mordellidae) to Apotomourinae (stem-group Mordellidae), based on traits such as a short pygidium and the absence of a subapical metatibial ridge. This revised placement challenges earlier interpretations of <i>Angimordella</i> as a specialized angiosperm pollinator and instead suggests a more generalized or transitional ecological role. We also document a co-preserved thrips in direct contact with the pollen grains, representing the first fossil record of a thrips associated with angiosperm pollen.</p> Conclusions <p>This fossil assemblage sheds light on the ecological complexity of mid-Cretaceous pollination systems, offering new insights into the incremental development of structured angiosperm–insect pollination networks.</p>

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Revisiting early angiosperm pollination: a reassessment of Angimordella beetle and co-occurring thrips from mid-Cretaceous amber

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Yan‑Da Li,
  • David Peris,
  • Constanza Peña-Kairath,
  • Qian Zhao,
  • Di-Ying Huang,
  • Chen-Yang Cai

摘要

Background

The Cretaceous rise of angiosperms profoundly reshaped terrestrial ecosystems, yet direct fossil evidence of early insect–angiosperm interactions remains scarce. Here, we re-examine a key mid-Cretaceous amber inclusion from Kachin, Myanmar, previously reported to preserve a pollen-bearing beetle (Angimordella burmitina) in close association with eudicot pollen.

Results

Our reassessment supports the recent transfer of Angimordella from Mordellinae (crown-group Mordellidae) to Apotomourinae (stem-group Mordellidae), based on traits such as a short pygidium and the absence of a subapical metatibial ridge. This revised placement challenges earlier interpretations of Angimordella as a specialized angiosperm pollinator and instead suggests a more generalized or transitional ecological role. We also document a co-preserved thrips in direct contact with the pollen grains, representing the first fossil record of a thrips associated with angiosperm pollen.

Conclusions

This fossil assemblage sheds light on the ecological complexity of mid-Cretaceous pollination systems, offering new insights into the incremental development of structured angiosperm–insect pollination networks.