Small Spurwing Mayfly vs Termite-Nest Silverfish
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Spurwing Mayfly | Termite-Nest Silverfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centroptilum luteolum | Atelura formicaria |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Zygentoma |
| Family | Baetidae | Nicoletiidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Spurwing Mayfly
A tiny, elegant mayfly with a distinctive spur on its hindwing. It is widespread in European streams and rivers with good water quality.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mayflies that swarm over water, small spurwings often emerge individually and drift with the current.
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.