Silverfish or firebrat
Scientific name
Lepisma saccharina (L.) and Thermobia domestica (Packard)
Classification
Secondary pest; Scavengers
Order: Thysanura
Family: Lepismatidae
Acronym: None
Description
- Both range in size from 3 to 30 mm depending on life stage.
- Both have 2 long threadlike antennae and 3 “tails.”
- Silverfish tend to be brownish in coloration and covered with scales.
- Firebrats are greyer, but are also covered with scales.
Images
Similar species
- None
Commodities affected
- Starchy substances, books, bindings, starched clothing, linens, starchy foods, vegetables
- Pet food, proteinaceous materials, flour
Signs of infestation
- No distinct damage is caused by these pests.
Damage
- Damage is not distinguishable as caused by these insects.
- They are generalist feeders.
How to control
Where found
- Silverfish are occasionally found in storage situations that are cool and damp.
- Firebrats are sometimes found in warm areas near furnaces, boilers and steam pipes.
- Both are found in elevators, mills, households, warehouses, processing facilities.
Life history
- Females may lay up to 200 eggs in a lifetime.
- Females lay eggs in cracks and crevices on virtually any substrate.
Not what you're looking for?
Start over again from the Insect identification key page.