Rock Bristletail vs Common Jumping Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rock Bristletail Common Jumping Bristletail
Scientific Name Petrobius brevistylis Petrobius maritimus
Order Archaeognatha Archaeognatha
Family Machilidae Machilidae
Size 9-12 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Common Jumping Bristletail

A coastal bristletail found on rocky shores throughout Europe. It has a distinctive arched body shape and large compound eyes.

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Did You Know?

It can jump up to 30 centimeters by flexing its abdomen against the ground.