Silverfish
Guides
Allacrotelsa
Allacrotelsa is a genus of primitive wingless insects in the family Lepismatidae, order Zygentoma. These insects are commonly known as silverfish or bristletails. The genus was established by Silvestri in 1935. Species in this genus share characteristics with other Lepismatidae, including elongated bodies and three tail-like appendages at the abdomen tip.
Allacrotelsa spinulata
silverfish
Allacrotelsa spinulata is a North American silverfish species in the family Lepismatidae. It belongs to the order Zygentoma, an ancient lineage of wingless insects. The species is relatively well-documented with over 800 iNaturalist observations. It is distinguished from other silverfish by specific morphological features including prominent spines on the caudal filaments.
Battigrassiella
Battigrassiella is a genus of silverfish in the family Nicoletiidae, described by Paclt in 1963. The genus contains one described species, Battigrassiella wheeleri. Nicoletiidae are eyeless, wingless insects typically found in soil and leaf litter habitats. The genus has been treated as a synonym of Grassiella in some taxonomic databases, indicating taxonomic uncertainty.
Battigrassiella wheeleri
Battigrassiella wheeleri is a species of silverfish in the family Nicoletiidae, order Zygentoma. This small, wingless insect belongs to a group of primitive hexapods characterized by elongated bodies, three long tail-like appendages, and ametabolous development. Members of Nicoletiidae are typically found in concealed habitats such as soil, leaf litter, and caves. The genus Battigrassiella contains species adapted to subterranean or cryptic environments.
Ctenolepisma
Ctenolepisma is a genus of primitive wingless insects in the order Zygentoma, family Lepismatidae. The genus comprises approximately 75 extant species distributed nearly worldwide in warm regions, with some species occurring both indoors and outdoors while others are found exclusively in natural habitats. Unlike the closely related silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and firebrat (Thermobia domestica), many Ctenolepisma species are less dependent on human habitation. Australia lacks native species but hosts introduced populations. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with ICZN Opinion 2427 (2018) establishing the neuter gender of Lepisma and related genera, resulting in species epithet changes such as Ctenolepisma longicaudatum (formerly longicaudata).
Lepisma
silverfish
Lepisma is a genus of primitive wingless insects in the family Lepismatidae. The most familiar species is Lepisma saccharina, commonly known as the silverfish, which is a cosmopolitan commensal of humans. Members of this genus are characterized by their flattened, torpedo-shaped bodies, long antennae, and three caudal filaments. The genus name has neuter gender per ICZN Opinion 2427 (2018), affecting species epithet endings.
Lepismatidae
Typical Silverfishes
Lepismatidae is a family of primitive, wingless insects in the order Zygentoma, containing approximately 190-340 described species worldwide. The family includes the two most familiar domestic species: the silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and the firebrat (Thermobia domestica). These ancient insects represent some of the earliest diverging lineages within Insecta, with origins dating back hundreds of millions of years. Members are characterized by elongated, flattened bodies covered in scales, three caudal filaments, and a complete absence of wings throughout their life cycle.
Leucolepisma
Leucolepisma is a monotypic genus of silverfish in the family Lepismatidae, established by Wall in 1954. The genus contains a single described species, Leucolepisma arenarium. Like other members of Zygentoma, these are wingless, primitive insects with elongated bodies and three terminal filaments. The genus is distinguished from related silverfish by specific morphological characteristics, though detailed documentation remains limited.
Nicoletiidae
Nicoletiidae is a family of primitive wingless insects in the order Zygentoma. Members are predominantly subterranean, inhabiting soil, caves, and mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) environments. Many species exhibit troglobiotic adaptations including lack of eyes and pigmentation. The family contains at least four subfamilies (Atelurinae, Nicoletiinae, Cubacubaninae, Coletiniinae, Subnicoletiinae) with over 100 described genera. Some species are commensals in social insect nests, such as Allotrichotriura saevissima in fire ant nests.
Stylifera
Stylifera is a genus of silverfish (order Zygentoma) in the family Lepismatidae, established by Stach in 1932. The genus contains at least two described species: Stylifera gigantea and Stylifera impudica, both described by Escherich in 1905. Silverfish in this family are wingless, primitive insects characterized by their elongated, flattened bodies and three terminal cerci. Members of the genus are rarely encountered in scientific literature, with most biological details remaining undocumented.
Texoreddellia
Texoreddellia is a monotypic genus of nicoletiid silverfish described by Wygodzinsky in 1973. The genus contains a single described species, Texoreddellia texensis. As a member of Nicoletiidae, it belongs to a family of small, eyeless, wingless insects adapted to subterranean or cryptic habitats. The genus is known from limited observations and specimens.
Thermobia
Thermobia is a genus of primitive insects in the family Lepismatidae, order Zygentoma. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'warmth' and 'life,' reflecting its members' thermophilic nature. The best-known species, Thermobia domestica (firebrat), is a common synanthropic pest of heated indoor environments worldwide. The genus was originally described as Termophila by Grassi in 1887, emended to Thermophila in 1889, and renamed to Thermobia by Bergroth in 1890.