Orkney Image Library

Forkytail?

'Forkytail' today 12 Dec 2013
Viewers will be familiar with this insect which is common around Orkney shores and often finds its way into outhouses (and sometimes dwelling houses, as in this case) near the coast. Frequently confused with the earwig, also called forkytail in Orkney, it is in fact not closely related to that insect, nor do the two really look much like each other.
Forkytails are more accurately called Jumping Bristletails, and belong to an ancient order of insects that includes many species. I used to wonder if they were insects at all, since they appear to have eight legs instead of the regulation six, but the forward-facing pair are actually mouthparts (elongated maxillary palps to be more precise).
This specimen was just over 3cm long, including the extended feelers and bristles, but was probably not fully grown. For comparatively small insects Jumping Bristletails are long-lived, averaging about four years, according to the books. They are harmless to humans but their sudden jumps can take you by surprise. (It often looks as if the jumps take the insects by surprise too, for they clearly haven't the faintest idea where they're going to land.)