Lepisma saccharinum

Linnaeus, 1758

Common Silverfish, Silverfish

Lepisma saccharinum, commonly known as the silverfish, is a small, wingless insect in the order Zygentoma. It derives its from its silvery coloration and fish-like undulating movements. This is in distribution and frequently found in human dwellings, where it feeds on starchy materials.

Lepisma saccharinum 265840118 by Steven Lamonde. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Lepisma saccharinum 265840101 by Steven Lamonde. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Lepisma saccharinum 265840128 by Steven Lamonde. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lepisma saccharinum: //lɛˈpɪz.mə ˌsæk.kəˈraɪ.nəm//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other domestic Zygentoma by its uniform silvery coloration without stripes or mottling. The Four-lined Silverfish (Ctenolepisma lineata) has dark longitudinal stripes. The Firebrat (Thermobia domestica) prefers hotter, drier conditions and has a mottled brown pattern. Silverfish lack the vivid markings of these relatives.

Images

Appearance

Flattened, torpedo-shaped body covered in short hairs and that give a silvery, metallic sheen. Long, thread-like extend from the . Three long caudal filaments—two and one filament—project from the tip of the . Body length 8–15 millimeters. Wingless throughout life.

Habitat

Human dwellings, particularly basements, attics, bathrooms, and kitchens. Prefers humid environments with temperatures between 21–29°C. Hides in cracks, crevices, and under objects during daylight hours.

Distribution

; found worldwide in association with human structures. Native range uncertain due to long history of human association.

Seasonality

Active year-round indoors; activity peaks in darkness.

Diet

, especially starches and sugars. Consumes bookbinding paste, wallpaper adhesive, oatmeal, damp wheat flour, cereals, and starch-sized textiles including silk and rayon.

Life Cycle

Undergoes . Young resemble but are smaller and sexually . repeatedly throughout life—at least 40 molts observed in laboratory specimens over 2.5 years. Lifespan at least two years under laboratory conditions. Female picks up male-deposited after being loosely restrained by silk strands from the male's mouthparts; laid singly or in small batches in cracks and crevices.

Behavior

, hiding in concealed locations by day. Rapid escape running when disturbed, comparable in speed to . Mating involves indirect sperm transfer via rather than internal .

Ecological Role

Decomposer of starchy organic debris in human environments. Prey for house centipedes and other .

Human Relevance

Occasional pest in libraries, museums, and storage facilities; damages paper products, textiles, and stored foodstuffs. Rarely abundant enough to cause significant economic harm in typical households.

Similar Taxa

Ctenolepisma lineataFour-lined Silverfish has distinct dark longitudinal stripes on body; L. saccharinum lacks stripes and has uniform silvery coloration
Thermobia domesticaFirebrat prefers hot dry conditions near furnaces and has mottled brown coloration; L. saccharinum favors humidity and has uniform silvery appearance

More Details

Taxonomic History

Formerly classified in order ; reclassified to Zygentoma (Börner, 1904) due to confusion in Thysanura, which at times included springtails and other unrelated groups.

Reproductive Biology

Primitive mating system lacking internal . Male produces silk from mouthpart glands to loosely bind female, facilitating uptake.