Jumping Bristletail
Scientific Name: Archaeognatha (Order)
Order & Family: Order: Archaeognatha; Family: Machilidae or Meinertellidae
Size: 5 to 20 mm (0.2 to 0.8 inches)
Natural Habitat
Typically found in leaf litter, under bark, in rocky crevices, and in grassy areas during damp weather.
Diet & Feeding
Scavengers that feed on algae, lichens, mosses, and decaying organic matter.
Behavior Patterns
Ametabolous life cycle with continuous molting. They are known for their ability to jump up to 30 cm by snapping their abdomen against the ground.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; they are beneficial decomposers in terrestrial ecosystems and serve as prey for various small predators.
Identified on: 4/20/2026