Insect of the Month: Common Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina)
Silverfish and firebrats are placed in the order Thysanura which is considered one of the most primitive of the living insect orders.
There are four species considered common in North America; the Firebrat (Thermobia domestica), the Common Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), the Gray or Longtailed Silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata), and the Four-Lined Silverfish (Ctenolepisma quadriseriata).
Though most are generally comopolitan in distribution, the Gray Silverfish is found in the Midwest to California and South. Presence of either silverfish or firebrats indicate a warm humid environment. Firebrats will favor areas of higher temperatures (95-105F) while Silverfish prefer slightly cooler environments.
Adverse to light, they tend to be found in dark areas of suitable climate with an abundant supply of food. However, their presence at a feeding site not warm or humid may indicate a nearby preferred microclimate.
What do silverfish look like?
The color of different species can vary.
Common Silverfish: silvery gray
Gray Silverfish: dull gray
Four Lined Silverfish: dark and light scales appear as four lines running down backles inside the pupal chamber.
What is the silverfish life cycle?
Eggs of the Silverfish tend towards a yellowish-white hue. Generally eggs hatch anywhere from 19-45 days and young spend 3-4 months as nymphs. The average lifespan for the various silverfish species can be from 2-3.5 years. Sexual maturity is reached in a few months. With a high birth rate both species can multiply quickly and have an enormous biotic potential.
Monitoring Guidelines for Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina)
Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for silverfish. These guidelines include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!
Stay tuned
Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with silverfish.
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