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Natural Habitat

Typically found in silk tunnels under bark, in leaf litter, or in soil crevices in warm, tropical, and subtropical regions. Some species can be found in temperate zones.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily feed on dead plant matter, moss, lichen, and algae. Some species may also consume fungi.

Behavior Patterns

Gregarious insects that live in communal silk tunnels spun by glands on their front tarsi. Females and juveniles rarely leave the tunnels, while males may have wings and disperse. They are mostly nocturnal and are known for their ability to quickly move backward within their tunnels. They reproduce sexually, and sometimes parthenogenetically in some species.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. They are beneficial decomposers in their ecosystem, helping to break down organic matter in tropical forest floors. They are not considered pests.

Identified on: 9/18/2025