Angel Insects, Order Zoraptera

The name Zoraptera derives from the Greek zoros, for pure, and aptera, for wingless. When entomologists first discovered this order in 1913, they believed that all zorapterans were wingless, and that this was a defining trait of the group. Zorapterans also go by the name angel insects.

Angel insects measure 3 mm or less in length, and may be mistaken for immature termites without careful examination. The abdomen is oval and short, with 10 segments, and short cerci that end in bristles. Zorapteran antennae are monoliform with 9 segments. They have chewing mouthparts. Each tarsus has two segments and two claws.

Zorapterans come in both winged and wingless forms, regardless of sex. When they do have wings, the four wings are membranous with limited venation. Wingless individuals are blind, while those with wings have both compound eyes and ocelli. As in ants or termites, the winged adults eventually shed their wings.

Zorapterans undergo simple metamorphosis. In North American species, nymphs molt through four instars before reaching adulthood. Angel insects are gregarious. In some species, wingless males may have a gland on the head. This gland is thought to secrete a communication pheromone that helps keep the group together.

Zorapterans are believed to feed primarily on fungal spores. Most live in rotting wood or under bark in tropical climates. There are only about 30 species known to date, primarily from Southeast Asia, Africa, and the U.S., making this one of the smallest orders in the insect world.

All known species of zorapterans belong to a single family, the Zorotypidae.

Only three species of zorapterans are known to inhabit the U.S.:

• Usazoros hubbardi inhabits many eastern states, as far north as Maryland, and is usually found in sawdust piles.
• Zorotypus swezeyi is the only known zorapteran in Hawaii.
• Floridazoros snyderi is so named because it lives in Florida. It also inhabits Jamaica.