47-Million-Year-Old Cicada Fossil Rewrites Insect Evolution History

A remarkably well-preserved cicada fossil has been uncovered at the Messel Pit in Germany. Dating back 47 million years, the specimen—named Eoplatypleura messelensis—offers rare insight into the early evolution of these insects. Its discovery fills a long-standing gap in the fossil record of cicadas in Eurasia. The fossil was found in the Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exceptionally preserved Eocene-era remains. Unlike most insect fossils, this cicada retains delicate wings and faint colour patterns, thanks to the pit's oxygen-poor conditions that prevented decay.

*P. messelensis* belongs to the Platypleurini, a group of cicadas recognised for their vivid wing designs and loud mating calls. Its intricate patterns suggest that survival tactics like camouflage or courtship displays were already established nearly 50 million years ago. This specimen is the oldest known member of the Cicadinae subfamily in Eurasia and the earliest evidence of Platypleurini worldwide. Its existence proves that cicadas were diversifying in Europe far earlier than previously documented.

The discovery of Eoplatypleura messelensis provides concrete evidence of cicada evolution during the Eocene period. Its well-preserved features allow scientists to study ancient insect behaviour and adaptation. The fossil now serves as a key reference for understanding the early spread of cicadas across continents.