Balkan Cave Cricket vs Bat Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Balkan Cave Cricket Bat Earwig
Scientific Name Troglophilus cavicola Arixenia esau
Order Orthoptera Dermaptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Arixeniidae
Size 12-20 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Omnivores
Regions Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy Southeast Asia, Borneo, Philippines
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Balkan Cave Cricket

A common cave cricket found throughout the Dinaric karst region of southeastern Europe. It congregates in large groups on cave walls.

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Did You Know?

It can survive for months without food by lowering its metabolic rate in winter.

Bat Earwig

A remarkable wingless earwig that lives exclusively in bat caves, clinging to the bodies and roosting areas of naked bulldog bats. It has reduced eyes and modified forceps.

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Did You Know?

Arixeniidae and Hemimeridae are the only earwig families that are viviparous, giving birth to live young.