Mountain Bristletail vs Rock Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Bristletail Rock Bristletail
Scientific Name Trigoniophthalmus alternatus Petrobius brevistylis
Order Archaeognatha Archaeognatha
Family Machilidae Machilidae
Size 10-15 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Forests Beaches & Coastal
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Central Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Rock Bristletail

A coastal bristletail found on rocky shores from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. It has shorter cerci than the related P. maritimus.

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Did You Know?

It can tolerate brief immersion in seawater during high tides.