#japygidae

Californian two-pronged bristletail, Occasjapyx californicus, Japygidae, Diplura

Two-pronged bristletails are non-insect hexapods that are common in moist soil and leaf litter, but are rarely seen because of their size and subterranean lifestyles. Depending on species, they feed on a wide variety of live prey and dead organic matter. They are found throughout the world. Despite their similar-looking forceps, they are only distantly related to earwigs.

Forcepstail

Family Japygidae

This small, eyeless creature seems unassuming, but it is actually quite elusive and rare! This family of entognathous hexapods – not insects, but close cousins with internal mouthparts – has been recorded worldwide on every continent but Antarctica. Despite this ubiquity, they are very rarely seen due to their small size and subterranean lifestyle. For reference, the last time one of these guys was recorded on INaturalist in my state was 2015! I was lucky enough to find one while I was digging through a small patch of leaf litter while nature journaling. I suspect these animals are much more common than they seem. The number of records are heavily linked to major cities OR places where leaf litter fauna enthusiasts live, which implies that we just aren't looking hard enough. You might even be able to find some in your own area if you have a good eye and are willing to dig a bit!