Bristletails
02 Jun 2025
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Bristletails
Latin: Archaeognatha — Relevance to Fly Fishing:
Bristletails are primitive, wingless insects known for their jumping ability and distinct, bristle-like tails.
Where you can find Bristletails
On this map you see where there were observations of Bristletails around the world. This will give you an idea of the global distribution of this class. Note that a class can have many different families, and thousands of species.
Diversity and distribution
The insect class Archaeognatha, also known as bristletails or jumping bristletails, is a small and primitive group of wingless insects with around 500 known species. Despite their modest diversity, Archaeognatha insects are known for their unique appearance, characterized by long, bristle-like tails and a flattened, elongated body. This class is divided into two families, Machilidae and Meinertellidae, and comprises numerous genera.
Archaeognatha insects can be found across the globe, inhabiting a wide range of environments such as forests, grasslands, and even rocky areas. They are often found near water sources like streams and rivers, making them a potential food source for fish in these ecosystems.
Life cycles of Archaeognatha
The life cycle of Archaeognatha insects consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The duration of each stage can vary among species and is influenced by factors such as temperature and humidity.
Female Archaeognatha lay their eggs in various substrates, depending on the species and habitat. Upon hatching, the nymphs closely resemble the adult form, albeit smaller and lacking full reproductive capabilities. Nymphs undergo multiple molts, gradually growing in size and developing reproductive organs. Once they reach their final molt, they become sexually mature adults.
Archaeognatha and fly fishing
Although Archaeognatha insects are not a primary food source for fish, their presence near water can make them an occasional target for opportunistic fish species. As a result, it's always useful to have a few basic nymph patterns in your fly box. Depending on the color, they can imitate the nymph and adult stages of a bristletail insect.
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