Delitzschala

{{Short description|Extinct genus of insects}}

{{Speciesbox

| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|Namurian}}

| image = Delitzschala bitterfeldensis BGR X 9216.png

| parent_authority = Brauckmann et Schneider, 1996{{cite journal|last1=Brauckmann|first1=Carsten|last2=Schneider|first2=Joerg|year=1996|title=Ein unter-karbonisches Insekt aus dem Raum Bitterfeld/Delitzsch (Pterygota, Arnsbergium, Deutschland)|trans-title=A Lower Carboniferous insect from the Bitterfeld/Delitzsch area (Pterygota, Arnsbergian, Germany)|journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Monatshefte|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279562374|volume=1996|issue=1|pages=17–30|doi=10.1127/njgpm/1996/1996/17|language=German}}

| taxon = Delitzschala bitterfeldensis

| authority = Brauckmann et Schneider, 1996

}}

Delitzschala is an extinct palaeodictyopteran, the oldest known to science. It was discovered by two German entomologists in 1996. Delitzschala had a wingspan of just 2½ cm (1 in) and an irregular pattern of coloured spots on its wings. Although it was from Middle Carboniferous (Namurian),{{Cite journal |last=Brauckmann |first=Carsten |last2=Brauckmann |first2=Brigitte |last3=Gröning |first3=Elke |date=1996-02-01 |title=The stratigraphical position of the oldest known Pterygota (insecta. Carboniferous, Namurian) |url=https://popups.uliege.be/0037-9395/index.php?id=1961 |journal=Annales de la Société géologique de Belgique |language=en |issn=0037-9395}} these spots were still visible in the fossil. It is possible that this camouflaged the animal, as it may have rested with its wings open as many modern-day insects do.