THE FIRST DOCUMENTED OCCURRENCE OF PHYLLOPHAGY IN PRE-CRETACEOUS INSECTS: LEAF TISSUES IN THE GUT OF THE UPPER JURASSIC INSECTS FROM SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Brachyphyllophagus phasma A. Rasnitsyn, gen. et sp. nov. and B. phantasus A. Rasnitsyn, sp. nov. are described from the Upper Jurassic of Kazakhstan. They are insects of uncertain systematic position, possibly belonging to the same order as embiids. The gut contents of these specimens, as well as of the stick insect Phasmomimoides minutus Gorochov, 2000 from the family Susumaniidae, is represented by the leaf fragments of Brachyphyllum or Pagiophyllum with cuticular characters of the Hirmerellaceae, accompanied by the pollen grains of Classopollis.