Cave Weta vs Canary Islands Cave Silverfish

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cave Weta Canary Islands Cave Silverfish
Scientific Name Gymnoplectron acanthocerum Coletinia majorensis
Order Orthoptera Zygentoma
Family Rhaphidophoridae Nicoletiidae
Size 30-50 mm body 6-10 mm
Habitat Indoors Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Oceania Spain
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Cave Weta

A large cave-dwelling weta endemic to New Zealand with extremely long antennae up to three times its body length. Uses its antennae to navigate in complete darkness.

💡

Did You Know?

Cave wetas have antennae so long they can span a cave entrance like a trip wire — detecting predators and prey in pitch darkness using touch and vibration alone.

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.