Thus, based on the above analysis, the substrate is very likely some form of amber. In the future I will try to view the sample under UV light to confirm the unique fluorescence of amber [6] and hopefully further narrow its depositional environment and region of origin.

There are a few primary types of amber: Baltic, Caribbean, and Dominican amber. Judging from its superficial color and transparency it appears to be either Caribbean or Dominican amber [7] — as it doesn’t have the same reddish hue typical of Baltic amber. Additionally, the acquisition location of Mexico also lends support for this conclusion. However, as any good geologist knows, going on superficial appearance (particularly color) and non-in-situ location alone for identification can often be misleading.

The sample is unlikely to be Caribbean amber, as it is not remotely aromatic, even when worn against the skin [7]. As a best approximation, according to the above mineralogical characteristics, I will assume the sample is either Dominican amber or possibly Mexican amber [7]. Further research is needed to confirm its exact origin and depositional environment [2].

Paleontology

Dominican amber dates from the Oligocene to Miocene, ~25Ma, while Mexican amber is generally agreed to being of roughly synchronous age [7].

The flying insect’s morphological structures — six legs (three segments each, with additional terminus claws), wings (dual pairs?), conjoined thorax, and ovipositor/stinger — clearly indicate it is of the order Hymenoptera; while the clearly defined ‘wasp waist’ petiole indicates it belongs to the Apocrita suborder.

As I am no paleontologist, I cannot hazard much further speculation on its taxonomic classification, other than to refer to it as a parasitic wasp. This identification is presumed based on the finely pointed structure of the ovipositor (Fig. 1, 3, 8) which negates the likelihood of it being used to saw or drill through plant or wood material in order to deposit its eggs within.

Rather, the extremely fine terminal point of its ovipositor probably indicates it was used for piercing an insect host’s body in order to deposit its larvae within the living host. However, the supposed ovipositor may also, or exclusively, have been modified into, and used as, a stinger.