Common Jumping Bristletail vs Banks' Jumping Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Jumping Bristletail Banks' Jumping Bristletail
Scientific Name Petrobius maritimus Machiloides banksi
Order Archaeognatha Archaeognatha
Family Machilidae Machilidae
Size 10-13 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe United States, Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Jumping Bristletail

A coastal bristletail found on rocky shores throughout Europe. It has a distinctive arched body shape and large compound eyes.

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Did You Know?

It can jump up to 30 centimeters by flexing its abdomen against the ground.

Banks' Jumping Bristletail

A North American bristletail found in leaf litter and under stones. It has a cylindrical body covered in tiny scales.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few Archaeognatha species found in North America.