Protura

Protura body shape

Protura (see drawing of a typical one on the left) are minute, ranging in size from 1.0 - 1.5 mm long, colorless and eyeless. They do not have antennae or any terminal filaments. They have a cone-shaped head. They are the only insects that have no antennae and hold their first pair of legs in front of their head using them like antennae.

There are about 400 species worldwide, and 20 British species and they are most easily found in summer.

Protura natural history and life cycle

Protura are found in damp soil, moss and leaf litter where they feed on decayed organic matter.

When the larvae first hatch from the egg they have just 9 abdominal segments; this increases to the 12 of an adult with each moult.