Diplura

Order

DIPLURA
(Greek, diploos= two; oura= tail)

Description

Diplura are small arthropods closely related to insects. They lack compound eyes but may have light sensitive spots on their heads called pseudoculi. Antennae resemble a chain of beads (moniliform). Legs are 5-segmented. Body colour is usually very pale and they are always wingless. The abdomen always has 10 segments and is quite long. A characteristic of the order Diplura is that the last segment of the abdomen has two appendages (cerci) which may be long and hair-like, or short and curved resembling the pincers of earwigs.

Life Cycle

There is no metamorphic cycle of egg-larva-pupa-adult. The young nymphs emerge from the eggs and resemble the adult. Nymphs grow through successive moults. Moulting continues throughout the adult stage. Some species exhibit maternal behaviour by protecting both eggs and nymphs.

Distribution

Cosmopolitan

Members

Common names are not given for members of this order.

Food

Diplurans with abdominal pincers are predators. These arthropods burrow into soft, moist soil so that only the abdominal pincers are exposed. If a passing slater or small insect passes near the pincers, it is captured and dragged into the burrow to be consumed. Other diplurans feed on decaying vegetation.

Importance

Diplurans have no known economic importance. The presence of some species in the food chains of ecosystems implies a part in the re-cycling of plant material in forests.