Silverfish
Silverfish
Bugs
Lepisma saccharina
(generally known as the fishmoth,
urban silverfish or
silverfish) is a small, wingless insect
generally measuring from half to one inch (12-25 mm). Its
common name is derived from the insect's silver blue
coloring, compounded with its fish-like motions, while
the scientific name indicates the silverfish's diet of
carbohydrates such as sugar or
starches.
The silverfish belongs
to the basal insect order Thysanura, and the species is
estimated to have existed for three hundred million yrs,
originating in the Palaeozoic Era. There are 13 species of
silverfish (Thysanura) in the United States of
America.
Silverfish are
not frequently discovered by homeowners since they're
nocturnal and can run away really swiftly. The Silverfish
will generally graze in and around showers, bathtubs, and
sinks on the cellulose present in many shampoos, shaving
creams and so forth.
Silverfish are
regarded to be nuisance pests that can feast on wallpaper
glues, natural textiles, books, paper and and dried meats.
Silverfish also feast on mold or fungi that can develop on
several surfaces. On textile there may be feeding marks on
individual fibers, and yellow stains, especially on linens.
Silverfish can actually go for up to one year
without food.
Often misidentified for a
silverfish is the common house centipede, a house-dwelling
arthropod that exhibits rapid, fluid movement instead.
Silverfish can be a problem
year round. Silverfish may lay eggs at any time during the
year, and take 19-43 days to hatch.
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