Common Jumping Bristletail vs Mountain Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Jumping Bristletail Mountain Bristletail
Scientific Name Petrobius maritimus Trigoniophthalmus alternatus
Order Archaeognatha Archaeognatha
Family Machilidae Machilidae
Size 10-13 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Forests
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe Central Europe
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.

Mountain Bristletail

A large bristletail found in forests and rocky habitats across central Europe. It has distinctive triangular compound eyes that meet on top of its head.

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Did You Know?

Its genus name refers to its triangular eyes, a key identifying feature.