Canary Islands Cave Silverfish vs Tropical Silverfish

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Canary Islands Cave Silverfish Tropical Silverfish
Scientific Name Coletinia majorensis Nicoletia phytophila
Order Zygentoma Zygentoma
Family Nicoletiidae Nicoletiidae
Size 6-10 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Detritivores
Regions Spain Central America, Caribbean
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Canary Islands Cave Silverfish

A cave-adapted silverfish from Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. It lives in lava tubes and volcanic caves.

💡

Did You Know?

Males of this species have distinctive asymmetric antennae.

Tropical Silverfish

A soil-dwelling silverfish found in tropical regions and occasionally in caves. It has a slender white body with very long cerci.

💡

Did You Know?

It has been recorded from caves in Belize despite being primarily a soil species.