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SHORT NOTES ON ORDERS, FAMILIES AND SOME SPECIES
OF
INSECTS WITH MARATHI NAMES
{Note—Marathi names of some have been included.
APTERYGOTA—PRIMITIVE WINGLESS INSECTS
order thysanura (bristle tails)
A small order. About 350 described species in the world. Insects
wingless with strong, biting mouth parts, long antennae, triangular longish
abdomen of 11 segments, long appendages and circi. The adult generally
flat, scaly, greasy, shining. No metamorphosis, moult, grow in size upto
15-30 mm., silvergrey or white or brownnish. Live concealed. Not well
studied. Some household pests. Divided into 2 families.
Fam. Machilidae, Large compound eyes, no scales or appendages to
the young, which develop as the insect grows. Moults 6 times to attain
adulthood. 3 species recorded in termites nests. One—M. palipoda dark
grev, elongate, tapering on both sides, 6-8 mm. long, 3 anal cerci, the
middle one the longest with some more appendages, lives in cracks in soil,
feeds on lichens. Nocturnal in habit.
Fam. Lepismatidae (Silverfish) कसर (Plate 1 Fig. 1) Compound eyes
conspicuous, three long anal appendages. Active, hide in debris, crevices
etc Eggs laid in crevices. Reach adult stage after more than a year casting
45-60 moults, but begins laying eggs after 12-15 moults, rather uncommon
among insects, mates often. L. (Acrotelsa) collaris, F., silvergrey to black,
haunts dark places destroys books, clothes, photoes etc., sometimes eating
surfaces only. See Paiva C. A (1906) J, Asi. Soc. Bengal 2:346 Notes on
rare insects.
FAUNA 363