The Cicadidae family is among the most diverse insect families today. However, the fossil record of Cicadidae is notably sparse compared to the number of extant species. The recently discovered species, Eoplatypleura Messelensis, is not only one of the earliest Cicadidae fossils found on the Eurasian continent, but it also represents the oldest record of the subfamily CICADINAE globally.
Eoplatypleura Messelensis thrived in Europe approximately 47 million years ago during the Eocene period.
“The Cicada family is one of the most diverse groups of insects today,” states Dr. Sonja Wedmann, a paleontologist at the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt/Main.
“Despite this, the fossil record is quite limited compared to the many modern species.”
“The Platypleurini group within this family is particularly noteworthy, containing numerous species with wide distributions and unique traits.”
“For the first time, we have described a fossil from this Cicada group.”
Two fossil specimens of Eoplatypleura Messelensis were found at Messelpit, an open-cast oil shale mine located 10 km northeast of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany.
“The new Messel fossil showcases a compact head with a subtle composite eye and a broad forewing featuring a distinctly curved tip,” notes Dr. Hui Jang, a paleontologist at the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut and a doctoral researcher at the University of Maine and Nanjing University.
“The fossils are female, but their classification implies that males in this group may produce loud mating calls.”
Eoplatypleura Messelensis, an adult female. Image credit: Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt/Main.
These ancient insects measure 2.65 cm in body length and have a wingspan of 6.82 cm, notable for their expansive, intricately patterned wings.
“These patterns resemble those of contemporary Cicada species in the Platypleurini group, which inhabit wooded and scrub areas,” explains Dr. Jang.
“Considering the subtropical vegetation of the Messel region approximately 47 million years ago, these color patterns may have served important ecological functions, such as camouflage.”
Eoplatypleura Messelensis is one of the oldest known representatives of today’s true cicadas in Eurasia and signifies the earliest records of the subfamily Cicadinae worldwide,” Dr. Wedmann remarks.
“This is also the Cicada that has been first described from the Messel Pit.”
“This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the fauna at Messelpit but also fills a crucial gap in the history of Eocene cicadas.”
“In the future, Eoplatypleura Messelensis may serve as a reference point for significant time series in genetic research regarding the evolutionary history of these insects, providing new insights into the origins and dispersal of Platypleurini.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports on April 29, 2025.
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H. Jiang et al. 2025. Sound from the Eocene: The first singing Cicada from Messelpit, Germany. Sci Rep 15, 12826; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94099-7
Source: www.sci.news
