Seashore Springtail vs Gray Silverfish

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seashore Springtail Gray Silverfish
Scientific Name Anurida maritima Ctenolepisma longicaudatum
Order Collembola Zygentoma
Family Neanuridae Lepismatidae
Size 2-3 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Seashore Springtail

A dark blue-black springtail found in dense clusters on rocky seashores at low tide. It survives tidal submersion by trapping air in its body hairs.

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Did You Know?

It can survive being submerged by the tide for hours by breathing trapped air bubbles.

Gray Silverfish

An invasive silverfish species spreading rapidly through northern Europe. It is larger and more uniformly gray than the common silverfish.

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Did You Know?

It has become a major household pest in Scandinavia since the 2000s.