Cedar Creek
Natural History Area

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order MICROCORYPHIA

(Bristletails)

     The Bristletails (20 NA spp) are 10 mm long, with long antennae, large eyes, and three cerci (the middle one much the longer).  They occur in rock crevices and under bark where they feed on fungi, lichens, and vegetable debris.  Two families (Machilidae, Meinertellidae) occur in North America, and it is possible that both may be found in Minnesota.  None collected at CCNHA.
 
1. Family MACHILIDAE Jumping Bristletails (Not described at CCNHA)
2. Family MEINERTELLIDAE Rock Bristletails (Not described at CCNHA)

jhaar@lter.umn.edu Last updated May, 2000