Ozark Cave Silverfish vs Stalk-Eyed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ozark Cave Silverfish | Stalk-Eyed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Speleonycta ozarkensis | Teleopsis dalmanni |
| Order | Zygentoma | Diptera |
| Family | Nicoletiidae | Diopsidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 6-10 mm body (eye span up to 25 mm) |
| Habitat | Caves | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | United States | Asia |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Ozark Cave Silverfish
A blind cave-adapted silverfish found in caves of the Ozark Highlands. It is completely white and eyeless.
Did You Know?
It is the only known species of its genus, endemic to Ozark caves.
Stalk-Eyed Fly
Males have eyes on the tips of long rigid stalks that can span wider than their body length. Females prefer males with wider eye spans, driving extreme sexual selection.
Did You Know?
Males compete by facing each other and comparing eye span — the wider-eyed male wins. Females prefer wide-eyed males because eye span indicates good genes.