cercus

Diplurans have two appendages, or cerci, extending backward from the last of their abdominal segments, for which they are named (Greek diplo, meaning “double,” and ura, meaning “tail”). Diplurans are blind and pale, and they generally are small, measuring about 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 inch) in length, though some tropical species…

…tail filaments, or pincers (cerci), at the posterior end of the abdomen, with those of the male being larger and of a different shape than those of the female. It has been suggested that the pincers may function in defense, in catching insects and holding them while eating, in…

Many hexapods have cerci (sensory appendages) on the 11th abdominal segment, which aid in identification of the telson. The Protura, Collembola, and Monura lack cerci. In Diplura a pair of cerci arise from the small terminal segment. Cerci can be long with numerous segments, short with a central…