Order
ARCHAEOGNATHA(Greek, archaeos = ancient; gnatha = jaw)
Common Names
bristletails
Description
Bristletails are primitive wingless insects. At first glance they resemble silverfish, however silverfish have three abdominal filaments nearly equal in length. In bristletails, the central filament is much longer than the side two. Unlike silverfish, bristletails have well developed compound eyes. The compound eyes are large and meet on the back of the head. Three simple eyes (ocelli) also occur on bristletails. Bristletails have well developed mandibles which are partially hidden in the head. The antennae are long and resemble a chain of beads (moniliform). Bristletails are usually nocturnal and have an interesting habit of "arching and flexing" the body to give a springing action similar to springtails. Bristletails are found in litter, moss, lichens and other similar habitats.
Life Cycle
There is no metamorphic life cycle: egg-larva-pupa-adult. The juvenile (nymph) emerges from the egg as a replica of the adult and develops through moults. Eventually a final moult leaves it sexually mature.
Distribution
Members
Bristletails
Food
Bristletails feed on plant detritus, algae, lichens and mosses.
Importance
Bristletails have no known importance apart from the usual roles played by litter re-cycling organisms in ecosystems.