Department of Entomology

Zoraptera (Zorapterans)

Family Fact Sheet

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Zoraptera - Brigham Young/VPI & SU PCD0330023

I. Background information

A. Origin of name

1. Pure wingless - only wingless individuals were known when family was first discovered in 1913 (winged specimens now known).

B. Classification

1. 22 Species worldwide, 3 in U.S.

2. 1 Family - Zorotypidae, 1 genus - Zorotypus

C. Common names

1. Zorapterans

2. Angel wings

a. Belief (from ancient Persian Religion) that man's fate after death is determined by the good and evil; only the pure reach an angelic state

D. Type of metamorphosis - simple

E. Phylogenetic relationships

1. Probably from a cockroach ancestor

2. No fossil record

II. Morphological characteristics

A. Fontanelle on wingless males

B. 2-Segmented tarsi

C. Chewing mouthparts

D. Cerci present

E. Moniliform 9-segment antenna

III. Biological summary for the order

A. Habitat and Habits

1. Live in sawdust piles under slabs of wood or under bark and in rotting logs

2. Pheramones from the male Fontanelle keep the blind assemblage together

3. Feed on fungus and dead insects

B. Collecting and preserving

1. Collect into 70% ethanol

2. Better yet, collect live and rear - very rare (no records in VA)

C. Significance

1. No economic significance