Fossil Fly | Plecia pealei (Love Bug) | Green River Formation, Wyoming | Eocene | 40–45mm

A beautifully preserved prehistoric fly in oil shale matrix, recovered from the celebrated Fish Layers of the Green River Formation.

Plecia pealei, commonly known as the Love Bug or March Fly, belongs to the family Bibionidae (Order Diptera) and inhabited ancient freshwater lake environments during the Eocene epoch, approximately 45–50 million years ago. These specimens were recovered from the Fish Layers of the Green River Formation in Wyoming, USA — a more exclusive stratum than the commonly collected Leaf Layers — and are noted for their exceptional preservation, with wing venation and leg structure often clearly visible.

The Green River Formation is one of the world's foremost fossil localities, celebrated for the extraordinary fidelity with which it preserves ancient life in fine-grained oil shale. Insect fossils from this formation are particularly prized for the level of anatomical detail they retain across tens of millions of years.

Specimen Details:

• Species: Plecia pealei (Love Bug / March Fly)
• Family: Bibionidae (Diptera)
• Matrix: Oil shale
• Size: 40–45mm (approximate range)
• Age: Eocene (45–50 million years ago)
• Provenance: Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA

Please note: each specimen is hand-selected from stock within the stated size range. Colour, matrix character, and preservation detail will vary as with any natural fossil — the image shown is representative only.

Display & Collection:

An accessible yet genuinely significant fossil for entomology enthusiasts, palaeontology collectors, and natural history displays. Pairs beautifully with other Green River Formation specimens, amber insect inclusions, or as part of a prehistoric invertebrate cabinet.