Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle vs Garden Acerentomid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle	Garden Acerentomid
Scientific Name	Tarphius wollastoni	Acerentomon gallicum
Order	Coleoptera	Protura
Family	Zopheridae	Acerentomidae
Size	0.3-0.6 cm	0.8-1.3 mm
Habitat	Forests	Meadows
Diet	Fungus Feeders	Fungus Feeders
Regions	St. Helena	Europe
Conservation	Critically Endangered	Not Evaluated

Helena Olive Wireworm Beetle

A small beetle endemic to St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It is associated with decaying endemic gumwood trees.

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St. Helena's native gumwood forests have been reduced to a few tiny remnant patches since colonization.

A minute soil-dwelling proturan commonly found in gardens and meadows of western Europe. It lacks eyes, wings, and antennae entirely.

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This species was not discovered until the 20th century because its tiny size makes it nearly invisible to the naked eye.