As predicted by phylogenetic patterns, the genus Leptoconops Skuse is recorded for the first time from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber, dated at 120–122 million years. Two species are described as new: L. amplificatus, known from 1 male and 11 females, and L. antiquus, known from 2 females. These likely represent the earliest lineage(s) within the genus and are placed in a new subgenus, Palaeoconops.

Previous analysis of Lebanese amber Ceratopogonidae (22 species, 126 specimens) indicated that these specimens represent a past community with high species diversity but with a low abundance of individual species. Leptoconops amplificatus is the first of 24 species of Ceratopogonidae known from this deposit to have intraspecific associations in a single piece of amber, likely reflecting their restriction to ancient beach habitats.