Mesogastrura libyca is a distinctive species (up to 1.5 mm in length) with 5+5 ocelli (Fig. 1), no anal spines, a long pointed mucro on the dens (Fig. 2) and a small needle-like empodium on the foot (Fig. 3). In life it is white with blue spots. The only definite records are those of Goto (1951) who found numerous specimens in a box of carrots from Honiton in Devon, and a single specimen found in a cave at Higher Kiln Quarry, Buckfastleigh in April 1964. These are preserved in the NHML collection (the Collembola, not the carrots). A record from blanket bog at Glenamoy, Co. Mayo, Ireland (Blackith 1974) is unlikely and needs to be confirmed.

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Fig. 1 (above): Post-antennal organ (PAO) and five ocelli (*) of Mesogastrura libyca collected from a cave at Higher Kiln Quarry, Buckfastleigh in April 1964 by C. Moreby.

Fig. 2 (above): Furca of the same specimen of Mesogastrura libyca shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 (above): Foot of leg3 of the same specimen of Mesogastrura libyca shown in Fig. 1. Note the small needle-like empodium (emp) and the two clavate setae (*).