African Bat Bug vs Slovenian Cave Dipluran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Bat Bug Slovenian Cave Dipluran
Scientific Name Afrocimex constrictus Plusiocampa strouhali
Order Hemiptera Diplura
Family Cimicidae Campodeidae
Size 3-5 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Parasites Fungus Feeders
Regions East Africa Slovenia, Italy
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

African Bat Bug

A cimicid ectoparasite found on bats in East African caves. It is notable for its unusual mating system involving traumatic insemination.

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Did You Know?

Both males and females possess a defensive organ to mitigate injury from traumatic insemination.

Slovenian Cave Dipluran

A troglobitic dipluran found in caves of Slovenia and northeastern Italy. It has greatly elongated antennae for sensing in total darkness.

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Did You Know?

Cave diplurans like this species can live for several years, far longer than surface relatives.