A fossil aphidlion preserved together with its prey in 40 million-year-old Baltic amber

Abstract Lacewings (Neuroptera) have predatory larvae with highly specialised mouthparts. Larvae of many groups within Neuroptera are well represented as fossils preserved in ambers; however, some less often reported the literature. Here we report such a rare case, larva group Hemerobiidae, an aphidlion, piece Eocene Baltic amber (about 40 million years old). It is together three possible prey items, wingless aphids, most likely representatives Germaraphis (or at least closely related to this group). The aphidlion can be identified based on morphology antennae, simple curved and toothless stylets, developed labial palps, absence other mouth-part structures protruding labrum or maxillary palps. A long, club-shaped distal element palps identifies specimen Hemerobiidae. aphids their very beak-like mouth parts. This find is, our knowledge, first example lacewing its potential prey. We briefly discuss cases which allow us reconstruct aspects behaviour interactions fossil larvae.