Embioptera

order of insects

The Embioptera are an order of insects, commonly known as webspinners.

Embioptera
Temporal range: Jurassic – Recent
Scientific classification
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Order:
Embioptera
Families

There are two suborders and ten families

Webspinners are a small group of mostly tropical and subtropical insects. They are in the subclass Pterygota. The group first appeared during the Jurassic and is well represented in Cretaceous amber. The common name webspinner comes from the insects' ability to spin silk from structures on their front legs. They use the silk to make a web-like pouch or gallery in which they live. They feed on leaf litter, moss, bark and lichen.

Occasionally they arrive in temperate countries, usually as passengers on cargo.[1]


References change

  1. Briggs, Helen 2019. Webspinners: new order of insects sets up home in UK. BBC News Science & Environment. [1]