Prehistoric Insects

A ground breaking new book that brings together two of the major disciplines behind Jurassic Park is aiming to raise the profile of insect fossils through stunning photographs and unique illustrations.

Dr Penney of the University of Manchester used cutting-edge technology to study fossilised insects, which have been illustrated for a new book.

Dr Penney of the University of Manchester used cutting-edge technology to study fossilised insects, which have been illustrated for a new book.

Dr Penney of the University of Manchester used cutting-edge technology to study fossilised insects, which have been illustrated for a new book.

Meganeura was a monster dragonfly of the Carboniferous, the 'Queen of the Carboniferous Skies', with a stunning wingspan (for any dragonfly) of up to 65 cm. A 1 metre (3 foot) wingspan is the size of an Eagle, and they must have had the appetites to match.Meganeura would have been in countless numbers across the globe, with finds in America, Britain and elsewhere. It would have been a voracious aerial predator, buzzing down to occasionally snatch victims off the ground or the branches, dead…

Extinction is a very serious issue facing our world. We get that. But when it comes to these extinct animals, we have to admit: We're kinda glad we don't have to face off against them.

The largest known insect of all time was a predator resembling a dragonfly but was only distantly related to them. Its name is Meganeuropsis, and it ruled the skies before pterosaurs, birds and bats had even evolved.

Giant insects lived in prehistoric times, but today's insects are considerably smaller. Why didn't giant insects survive to the modern age?

Scientists have used exceptionally preserved fossils of Palaeocharinus to create the video showing the most likely walking gait of the animal.

Epochs ago, giant scorpion monsters were everywhere. Here are a few of the most horrifying prehistoric bugs ever to crawl the earth.