bristletail

Bristletails are a group of small, wingless insects belonging to the order Thysanura or sometimes classified under the order Zygentoma. They are primitive insects, characterized by their elongated, segmented bodies and three long, bristle-like appendages at the rear of the abdomen. These appendages typically include two cerci and a longer median filament. Bristletails are found worldwide, inhabiting a variety of environments, most commonly in dark, damp places such as leaf litter, under rocks, in caves, and within human dwellings. They are detritivores, feeding on starchy materials like glue, wallpaper paste, books, and decaying organic matter. Their diet can sometimes lead them to be considered pests, though they rarely cause significant damage. Bristletails are nocturnal and are often found by disturbing their hiding places during the day. They molt throughout their lives, a characteristic of primitive insects. Reproduction in bristletails can be sexual or asexual, with some species exhibiting complex courtship rituals. Their lifecycle involves incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they hatch as smaller versions of the adult and grow through a series of molts.