Bat Fly vs Southeast Asian Cave Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bat Fly Southeast Asian Cave Springtail
Scientific Name Penicillidia conspicua Coecobrya tenebricosa
Order Diptera Collembola
Family Nycteribiidae Entomobryidae
Size 2-5 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Parasites Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bat Fly

A bizarre wingless fly that lives exclusively as an ectoparasite on bats. It has lost its wings entirely and scurries through bat fur like a spider.

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Did You Know?

These flies have evolved to look and move like spiders, having completely lost their wings and flattened their bodies for life in bat fur.

Southeast Asian Cave Springtail

A widely distributed cave springtail found throughout Southeast Asian caves. It is completely white and eyeless.

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Did You Know?

The genus Coecobrya contains over 70 species, nearly all from caves.