Baldani Cave Springtail vs Small Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Baldani Cave Springtail Small Earwig
Scientific Name Protaphorura baldanii Apterygida media
Order Collembola Dermaptera
Family Onychiuridae Forficulidae
Size 0.8-1.2 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Italy Europe
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Baldani Cave Springtail

A cave-adapted springtail from Italy with no pigmentation and no functional eyes. It was recently described as new to science from Italian caves.

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Did You Know?

It belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of blind springtails.

Small Earwig

A small reddish-brown earwig found in woodland leaf litter across Europe. Males have strongly curved forceps while females have nearly straight ones.

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Did You Know?

The dramatic difference in forceps shape between males and females is one of the most pronounced sexual dimorphisms among earwigs.