Fossil insects are rare in Scotland, though those that are found are significant and are from four periods: Specimens from the Lower Devonian Rhynie Chert of Aberdeenshire are the oldest in the world; a few species are known from the Upper Carboniferous Coal Measures of Ayrshire and Fife; as yet undescribed specimens are known from the Middle Jurassic of Sutherland and the Isle of Skye and a variety of insects have been described from the Paleocene Ardtun Leaf Beds of the Isle of Mull.

Dr Andy Ross, Principal Curator of Palaeobiology at National Museums Scotland will be discussing these exceptional and important fossils in this lunchtime talk.