Alabama Cave Silverfish vs Termite-Nest Silverfish
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alabama Cave Silverfish | Termite-Nest Silverfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Speleonycta sp. nov. Alabama | Atelura formicaria |
| Order | Zygentoma | Zygentoma |
| Family | Nicoletiidae | Nicoletiidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Alabama Cave Silverfish
A recently described cave silverfish from northern Alabama caves. It is completely blind and unpigmented, representing a new genus.
Did You Know?
It was described in 2024, showing that new cave species are still being found in well-explored regions.
Termite-Nest Silverfish
A small, blind, unpigmented silverfish that lives exclusively inside ant nests. It has evolved chemical mimicry to avoid detection and is tolerated by its ant hosts.
Did You Know?
This silverfish steals food directly from the mouths of ants by mimicking the chemical signals ants use to request food sharing.