'Jurassic-Era' Insect Discovered in Walmart Sets Historic Record, Raises Mystery

A massive insect that was removed from the Walmart storefront in Arkansas broke historic records. The Polystoechotes punctata, often known as the giant lacewing, is the species' first sighting in the state and the first of its kind to be recorded in eastern North America in more than 50 years.

The giant lacewing was once common throughout North America, but by the 1950s it mysteriously disappeared.

According to Michael Skvarla, head of Penn State's Insect Identification Lab, this finding shows that there may still be undiscovered remnant populations of this enormous insect from the Cretaceous period.