Primitive Silverfish vs Ozark Cave Silverfish
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Primitive Silverfish | Ozark Cave Silverfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tricholepidion gertschi | Speleonycta ozarkensis |
| Order | Zygentoma | Zygentoma |
| Family | Lepidotrichidae | Nicoletiidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | United States | United States |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
Primitive Silverfish
The most primitive living silverfish, restricted to old-growth forests of northern California. It retains compound eyes and other ancestral features.
Did You Know?
It is considered a living fossil and the sole surviving member of its family.
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.