Primitive Silverfish vs Termite-Nest Silverfish
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Primitive Silverfish | Termite-Nest Silverfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tricholepidion gertschi | Atelura formicaria |
| Order | Zygentoma | Zygentoma |
| Family | Lepidotrichidae | Nicoletiidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
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.
Termite-Nest Silverfish
A small, blind, unpigmented silverfish that lives exclusively inside ant nests. It has evolved chemical mimicry to avoid detection and is tolerated by its ant hosts.
Did You Know?
This silverfish steals food directly from the mouths of ants by mimicking the chemical signals ants use to request food sharing.