Gray Silverfish vs Alabama Cave Silverfish

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gray Silverfish Alabama Cave Silverfish
Scientific Name Ctenolepisma longicaudatum Speleonycta sp. nov. Alabama
Order Zygentoma Zygentoma
Family Lepismatidae Nicoletiidae
Size 10-15 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Underground Caves
Diet Omnivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe United States
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Gray Silverfish

An invasive silverfish species spreading rapidly through northern Europe. It is larger and more uniformly gray than the common silverfish.

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Did You Know?

It has become a major household pest in Scandinavia since the 2000s.

Alabama Cave Silverfish

A recently described cave silverfish from northern Alabama caves. It is completely blind and unpigmented, representing a new genus.

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Did You Know?

It was described in 2024, showing that new cave species are still being found in well-explored regions.