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SILVERFISH-ADULT SILVERFISH SILVERFISH-ADULT SILVERFISH

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- fairly long 6.Thorax- mesosoma SILVERFISH 1.Antenna- fairly long 6.Thorax- mesosoma SILVERFISH
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- bristle-like tail 3.Head 8.Abdomen- bristle-like tail
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- silvery 6 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- silvery 6
5.Wings- none 10.Other- carrot-shaped body 5.Wings- none 10.Other- carrot-shaped body
Life Cycle Life Cycle
The female lays from 1-3 eggs at a time, depositing them in cracks and The female lays from 1-3 eggs at a time, depositing them in cracks and
crevices or under objects in groups until there are about 45-100 eggs. crevices or under objects in groups until there are about 45-100 eggs.
The eggs hatch in about 40 days at average room temperature. The 4 8 The eggs hatch in about 40 days at average room temperature. The 4 8
young look exactly like the adult, only smaller, and go through several young look exactly like the adult, only smaller, and go through several
molts to reach adult size. These insects often live 3 years or more. molts to reach adult size. These insects often live 3 years or more.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
SILVERFISH SILVERFISH
Actual size 5/8” Actual size 5/8”
Silverfish are believed to be one of the most primitive of living insect orders. A silverfish fossil Silverfish are believed to be one of the most primitive of living insect orders. A silverfish fossil
has been found supposedly dating as far back as 400 million years. Silverfish have charac- has been found supposedly dating as far back as 400 million years. Silverfish have charac-
terized “carrot-shaped” bodies, but are flattened top to bottom. They are covered with silvery terized “carrot-shaped” bodies, but are flattened top to bottom. They are covered with silvery
scales, and have three long, slender “antennae-like” appendages projecting from the end of scales, and have three long, slender “antennae-like” appendages projecting from the end of
the abdomen, giving them the name “bristle tails.” Silverfish are a tropical insect and thrive in the abdomen, giving them the name “bristle tails.” Silverfish are a tropical insect and thrive in
the environment that man creates in his home. They thrive in warm, moist climates and feed the environment that man creates in his home. They thrive in warm, moist climates and feed
primarily on books and paper, as well as glues and pastes found on wall paper and shelf pa- primarily on books and paper, as well as glues and pastes found on wall paper and shelf pa-
per. Even in small numbers, they can cause significant damage. Silverfish will also eat sugar, per. Even in small numbers, they can cause significant damage. Silverfish will also eat sugar,
flour, cereals, and some fabrics. flour, cereals, and some fabrics.

FIREBRATS FIREBRATS

Firebrats are the smallest variety of silverfish, and are found in the warmest locations, being Firebrats are the smallest variety of silverfish, and are found in the warmest locations, being
found even in humid boiler rooms and bakeries. They are a mottled gray or brown color, and found even in humid boiler rooms and bakeries. They are a mottled gray or brown color, and
only 7/16th inch in size. They normally live outdoors, but can do the same damage to paper only 7/16th inch in size. They normally live outdoors, but can do the same damage to paper
items, wallpaper, and fabric as do silverfish indoors. They are also nocturnal in nature. items, wallpaper, and fabric as do silverfish indoors. They are also nocturnal in nature.

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