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A Whole New Batch of Bugs!

For the time being, scientists have unofficially named the new predatory insect "gladiator."

Last week, scientists announced that they had discovered a major new group, or order, of insects. It is the first order of insects to be discovered in 87 years!

In biology, an order is a class of related animals that usually includes many different species. All butterflies belong to the same order, as do all frogs.

The newfound insects, called mantophasmatodea, look like a cross between a walking stick and a preying mantis. They are predators with long antennae, sharp jaws and three small teeth.

Oliver Zompro of Germany identified the bugs. He found a specimen in a 45 million-year-old piece of amber. Scientists in Namibia later discovered a living population in that African country.

"This discovery is comparable to finding a living mastodon or saber-tooth tiger," says researcher Piotr Naskrecki. It's "thrilling for scientists!"

Next: Raising Dough