thysanuran

plural thysanurans

1. Any of various insects, including the silverfish and firebrats, of the order Thysanura (now Zygentoma), which have three long caudal filaments.

   The best known and most often seen thysanurans are the two domesticated species: silverfish and firebrat.

   1984, Robert N. Coulson, Forest Entomology: Ecology and Management, page 59

   2 more examples

   As insects go, thysanurans are about as primitive as an arthropod can get and still be considered an insect.

   1989, May Berenbaum, Ninety-nine Gnats, Nits, and Nibblers, page 21

   2008, Timothy J. Bradley, Saline-water Insects: Ecology, Physiology and Evolution, Jill Lancaster, Robert A. Briers, Aquatic Insects: Challenges to Populations: Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society's 24th Symposium, page 22, Marine thysanurans are another abundant and highly successful group of apterygotes able to exploit the ocean shore.