Apterygidae

Apterygidae is a family of primitive, wingless insects in the order Zygentoma. Members are small, soft-bodied, and lack wings, a trait shared by all zygentomans. The name derives from Greek roots meaning wingless.

They have elongated, dorsoventrally flattened bodies; three tail filaments—two cerci and a central epiproct; long, threadlike antennae; and a generally bare, scale-less cuticle. Size ranges from a few millimeters to about 1–2 centimeters.

They inhabit damp microhabitats such as leaf litter, under bark, rotting wood, caves, and soil crevices. They feed on detritus, molds, and algae, contributing to the breakdown of organic matter. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular and move slowly.

Apterygids, like other zygentomans, undergo ametabolous development; juveniles resemble adults. Eggs hatch into nymphs that grow through successive molts.

The family is distributed in various regions worldwide, often in temperate and subtropical zones, with a preference for moist environments. Taxonomic placement within Zygentoma has varied in different classifications; apterygids are one of several families recognized in this order.