Diplura Sp.
TWO-PRONGED BRISTLETAIL FAMILY (Campodeidae)

Description
This Two-pronged Bristletail sp. is approximately 3/8″ including antennae and tails. It’s soft body is white, nearly transparent. It is wingless and eyeless. It has long antennae and 2 long tails (cerci), resembling a pale silverfish with 2 tails. The chewing mouthparts are concealed in a pouch. This Bristletail is likely in the genus Campodea because of the long, thin cerci. Other genera in the Diplura Class have short, stout antennae and cerci.

Occurrence
This bristletail is probably very common in moist areas under rocks, logs and leaf litter. The individual shown here was photographed in Fontenelle Forest on Wren Trail on April 5, 2013.

Comments
This bristletail is part of the community of decomposers that help break down and recycle organic nutrients. There are 23 genera in 5 families and approximately 100 species in North America.

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