Giant Japygid vs Kentucky Cave Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Japygid Kentucky Cave Cricket
Scientific Name Metajapyx subterraneus Ceuthophilus stygius
Order Diplura Orthoptera
Family Japygidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 10-20 mm 13-25 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Predators Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Japygid

One of the larger diplurans, found in deep soil and caves in southern Europe. It is a voracious predator of other soil invertebrates.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few diplurans large enough to be visible to the naked eye without magnification.

Kentucky Cave Cricket

A large cave cricket found throughout the cave systems of Kentucky and surrounding states. It has extremely long antennae and powerful jumping legs.

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Did You Know?

It leaves caves at night to forage and brings nutrients back into the cave ecosystem.