Description
Found this small dipluran under a plank of wood embedded in soil. It's a bit beat-up, missing part of it's right antennae and it's entire right cerci. Quite likely I'm responsible as they are very fragile things, however they are apparently capable of regrowing such parts over successive moults (see Dr. Minor link below). Diplura is considered the sister group of Insecta. They are six-legged, eyeless, wingless, and have ametabolous development. Characters modern diplurans lack that all true insects possess include the Johnston's organ, a movement and sound sensing antennal organ, and external mouthparts. Dr. Maria Minor from Massay University (NZ) provides a great summary of their biology: soilbugs.massey.ac.nz/diplura.php

