The first filter-feeding insects

[Halichoeres]

Many kinds of insect nymphs (naiads, for the old-fashioned types) live in streams and filter particles out of the water, but the Triassic mayflies Mesoplectopteron and Vogesonympha are the earliest examples in the fossil record. Evidence for this lifestyle includes the long comblike hairs (setae) on the forelegs, which can help capture bits of organic matter. You can see them on this fossil and reconstruction of Vogesonympha:


Paper (paywall): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/spp2.1456

[Faelrin]

I can't help but be reminded by silverfish with that artwork of it (which paid me a visit in my bedroom not too long ago lol).

Also I know we focus a lot on marine invertebrates on this forum (particularly from the Cambrian period), but freshwater and terrestrial ones are often neglected, so seeing this is a really cool find. Also makes me nostalgic of the science field trips to the local creek to observe and study the different invertebrates within, mostly nymphs. I couldn't help but be amazed at how many critters lived in the water, aside from fish and reptiles back then. So it's quite interesting in turn to learn more about one of these ancient critters from the Triassic period, that might easily get overlooked and ignored by the more famous reptiles of the time.

[Halichoeres]

Yeah, with the three cerci and the wings undeveloped, it does kind of look like a silverfish!