PROTURA: SIMPLE-TAILS
Definition
- Minute, cylindrical, white, wingless: antennae and eyes absent. End of abdomen conical, without a projecting tail.
- The front legs are held forwards like antennae.
- Head small, conical, with piercing mouthparts.
- Incomplete life cycle: egg, larva and adult. Body segments are added during development which suggests that they are not proper insects.
How & where they live
- They are part of the soil fauna, feeding on decaying plant material in moist situations.
Number of species
- In Britain 17 species.
- Worldwide about 100 species.
