Rock Bristletail vs Mountain Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

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

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.