Saint Helena Earwig vs Southern Rock Bristletail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Saint Helena Earwig | Southern Rock Bristletail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Labidura herculeana | Lepismachilis y-signata |
| Order | Dermaptera | Archaeognatha |
| Family | Labiduridae | Machilidae |
| Size | 78 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Africa | Mediterranean Europe |
| Conservation | Extinct | Least Concern |
Saint Helena Earwig
Was the worlds largest earwig at 78 mm. Endemic to Saint Helena island. Not seen since 1967 and declared extinct in 2014 due to habitat destruction and invasive species.
Did You Know?
The Saint Helena giant earwig — the worlds largest earwig at 78 mm — went extinct without most people knowing it existed. It was last seen alive in 1967.
Southern Rock Bristletail
A Mediterranean bristletail identified by a Y-shaped marking on its thorax. It lives under stones and in rock crevices.
Did You Know?
The Y-shaped thoracic marking gives this species its distinctive name.