Fossil Butterfly from Florissant, Colorado

Butterflies are rather rare in the fossil record. Their delicate nature makes preservation difficult. The most commonly found butterflies are found preserved in amber, with several notable pieces from the Dominican Republic. Well preserved butterflies currently, but rarely, found in the Green River Formation in Colorado, a section in France, and the most famous locality; the Florissant Fossil Beds, in Florissant, Colorado.

As I recall, there are 9 specimens of fossil butterflies from Florissant currently in museum collections. I know of at least 2 in private collections here and there. Most of the fossil beds are currently within a protected National Monument and so fossil collecting is illegal. For more information on Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, visit their official site at: http://www.nps.gov/flfo/

This specimen was found on private property north of the town of Florissant. It's a partial butterfly with great venation. It's about 3 cm x 4 cm.

I donated this specimen for a new visitor center display at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument so that now everyone can see it for themselves. You just have to visit the park!


The split pair butterfly, found on private property north of Florissant.


Close-up of body and wings of one of the sides.


Notice the venation in the wings. The patterns of this piece indicate it was a butterfly, not a moth.


Another close-up.



 

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