Common Bat Fly vs Benderman's Cave Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Bat Fly | Benderman's Cave Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Basilia nana | Pseudanophthalmus bendermani |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Nycteribiidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Caves |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Common Bat Fly
A tiny, completely wingless spider-like fly that parasitizes bats. Its body is so highly modified for ectoparasitism that it bears almost no resemblance to a typical fly.
Did You Know?
It has evolved to be so specialized that its head folds back over the thorax, and it walks like a spider through bat fur.
Benderman's Cave Beetle
A tiny blind ground beetle restricted to a single cave system in Virginia. It is federally listed as endangered in the United States.
Did You Know?
It is known from only one cave in the entire world.