Rocky-shorelines

Guides

• Machilidae

  Jumping Bristletails

  Machilidae is a family of wingless insects in the order Archaeognatha, commonly known as jumping bristletails. Adults measure 7–20 mm in body length, with elongated cylindrical bodies covered in overlapping scales and three long terminal filaments. They possess large contiguous compound eyes, a humped thorax, and enlarged hind legs that enable rapid jumping when disturbed. The family contains approximately 250–450 described species with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, primarily associated with moist, sheltered microhabitats including rocky shorelines, leaf litter, and rock crevices.

  Archaeognathabristletailsjumping-bristletailswingless-insectsprimitive-insectsrocky-shorelinesametabolous-developmentindirect-sperm-transferjumping-locomotionscavengersherbivoresbiofilm-feeders