Smithsonian researcher finds new midge species, rare mosquito larvae from the Flathead
Several rare fossils of 46-million-year-old blood-engorged mosquitos have been found by Smithsonian resident research associate Dale Greenwalt and partners in an ancient shale formation exposed along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Greenwalt this year helped publish several new midge species and an even rarer fossil of a mosquito larvae. (Photo courtesy of Dale Greenwalt)
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Dale Greenwalt has been coming to Northwest Montana for the past 15 years to recover ancient insects fossilized in the banks of the Middle Fork of the Flathead. (Photo courtesy of Dale Greenwalt)
As millions pour every year into the Crown of the Continent — outfitted perhaps for any variety of Montanan adventure — one retired biochemist equipped with little more than a sharp putty-knife has been carving out tiny, 46 million-year-old flies from the shaley banks of the Flathead River.
Dale Greenwalt has been collecting these ancient insects from the Flathead’s Middle Fork as a resident research associate with the Smithsonian Institution during a few weeks each summer for the past 15 years...
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