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Order - GRYLLOBLATTODEA
(Latin,
gryllus
= a cricket; Greek,
blatta
= an insect that shuns light)
Common Name:
rock crawlers
Distribution:
Northern Hemisphere
Description
Grylloblattids are restricted to western North America and central to eastern Asia. The twenty known species are particularly tolerant to cold climates and high altitude. Adults are soft-bodied, pale, finely haired, wingless and possess well developed mandibles. The compound eyes are either absent or reduced in size. Grylloblattids lack organs for the production or reception of sound. Two long, flexible and segmented filaments (cerci) project from the apex of the abdomen. An ovipositor strongly projects from the female's abdomen.
Most species are active by both night and day. Many are found in caves, snow-melt areas and similarly cool regions.
Nymph
There is no metamorphic cycle of egg-larva-pupa-adult. When juveniles hatch from the eggs, they resemble small versions of the adults (nymphs). Through successive moults nymphs reach adult maturity.
Members
Rock crawlers and ice crawlers.
Food
Grylloblattids are scavengers on dead plant or animal material.
Importance
No known economic importance. Their importance is as a component in cave or alpine ecosystems.
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