Vertagopus cinereus is a widespread and common greyish-brown species that reaches a length of 1.5 mm. Almost all the records are from the trunks of trees, under dead bark and lichens, and in bird nests. Tibiotarsi 1, 2 and 3 possess 2:3:3 clavate tenant setae respectively and the mucro has four teeth. The furca of Vertagopus cinereus is relatively shorter than that of the bluish-violet Vertagopus arboreus. In addition, on the ventral side of the thorax, Vertagopus cinereus has 3-10 + 3-10 setae on each of th2 and th3, and a group of 5-12 ventral setae on the second abdominal segment (abd2). Vertagopus arboreus does NOT possess ventral setae on th2, th3 or abd2.

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