Death Watch Barklouse vs Tasmanian Cave Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Death Watch Barklouse Tasmanian Cave Cricket
Scientific Name Trogium pulsatorium Micropathus ditto
Order Psocoptera Orthoptera
Family Trogiidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 1.5-2 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Death Watch Barklouse

A common indoor booklouse known for producing a quiet tapping sound by striking its abdomen against surfaces. It is found in old buildings and museums.

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Did You Know?

Its tapping sound was historically mistaken for a death omen, hence its common name.

Tasmanian Cave Cricket

A recently described cave cricket from wet forests of Tasmania, Australia. It is a short-range endemic threatened by habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

It was only formally described in recent years despite being known to cavers.