Silverfish (6443)

Silverfish, Lepisma saccharina, and firebrats, Thermobia domestica, are insect species that belong to the order Thysanura and are usually found in homes. They are mostly a nuisance pest, but they can destroy cereals, books, papers, wallpaper, and other starchy items with their excrement. During severe infestations, these starchy targets may develop irregular-shaped holes from the insects’ feeding. Silverfish and firebrats do not feed on wool or other animal products.

Silverfish and firebrats are often referred to as the bristletails (or fishmoths, tasseltails, or fringetails) because of the three, tail-like appendages that protrude from their last abdominal segment. Silverfish have silvery-metallic scales covering their body and antennae as long as their body; they can grow to 12 mm in length (head to tip of abdomen). Firebrats have tufts of brown scales that create a mottled appearance and antennae which are longer than the length of their body; they are similar in size to silverfish. Both species move rapidly (including sideways), and their flat bodies let them hide in narrow crevices. The immature bristletails look similar to the adults, but do not have scales until after several molts.

For more information, please visit this Penn State Fact Sheet.

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Penn State Entomology Department

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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