Easily recognized by the pair of large pincers (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen. Adult males have 10 abdominal tergites; females, 8. Some are wingless, but in most the forewings are short leathery covers (tegmina), under which the hind wings (if present) fold in a unique fan-like fashion leaving a chitinized triangular part exposed.
The pincers' shape is highly species-specific in males (asymmetrical in some groups) but quite uniform in females throughout the order.
tend to hide in cool, dark places during the day and come out at night; some hide under leaves, rocks and other debris; others, under bark, or, in deserts, inside rotting cactus. Winged species often come to lights
Season
Year-round, but often inactive in cold or dry weather.
Food
Plants, organic matter, other insects (some are almost exclusively carnivorous, and many are important in controlling soil pests).
Life Cycle
In later winter or early spring, the female creates a snug chamber in the soil to lay about 50 eggs. She then guards these until they hatch and several days later. The young aggregate through 4-6 molts before appearing above ground for the summer.(6)
metamorphosis simple, antennomeres increasing in number with instar. The mother cares for the eggs and nymphs.
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