Hemimeroidea

an order of insects with incomplete metabolism (hemimetabolism). They are close to earwigs (Dermoptera) and are sometimes considered a suborder. The body is somewhat flattened and 8-14 mm in length. The feelers and legs are short. Hemimeroidea have neither wings nor eyes; the mouth organs are of the gnawing type. The one genus, Hemimerus, contains eight species. Hemimeroidea are found in equatorial Africa. They are external parasites of rodents of the genus Cricetomys, living in hairy areas of the body and apparently feeding on derivatives of the skin epidermis of the host animal. The young are live-born.