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Kinds

Lepidotrichidae Lepismatida Lepismatidae Maindroniidae Nicoletiidae

Overview

Thysanura are primitive but well-adapted to survive in domestic environments such as basements and attics. They are nocturnal scavengers or browsers, hiding under rocks or leaves during the day. They survive on a wide range of food, but prefer algae, lichens, or starchy vegetable matter. N.C. State University Entomology Dept. Thysanura is thought to be the linking order between wingless and winged insects, and members of this order are some of the primitive insects known to man. -- (Earth Life) Since they are common household pests, thysanurans have been given many different eccentric names. For example, they are sometimes called "fish-moths" because of their covering of scales and their moth-like persistence as pests. Their silvery body and tendency to hang out in damp places has given rise to the name "silverfish." -- (Kellogg, 1905) The other most common name is "firebrat," given because they often inhabit warm places such as fireplaces and bakeries. Thysanurans are also called "bristletails" because of the bristle-like appendages on the tip of their abdomens. -- ( Britannica.com)

Identification

Adults and immatures: Body relatively flat, tapered and often covered with scales Compound eyes small or absent Antennae long, thread-like, and multisegmented Abdomen with ten complete segments Eleventh abdominal segment elongated to form a median caudal filament Cerci present, nearly as long as median caudal filament Styliform appendages located on abdominal segments 7-9 -- (N.C. State University Entomology Dept.) The firebrat can also be brown or tan in color. Thysanurans are usually about 12 mm in length. -- (Borror et al., 1989)

Families

Lepidotrichidae -- Represented in the United States by a single species, Tricholepidion gertschi. Nicoletiidae -- Represented by two subfamilies, Nicoletiinae and Atelurinae, which differ in appearance and habits. The Nicoletiinae are subterranean, slender in appearance, and lack scales; the Atelurinae are free-living, oval in appearance, and have scales. Lepismatidae -- Contains the common domestic species of silverfish and firebrats.

Phylogeny

Taxonomic Category Scientific Name Common Name Phylum Arthropoda Arthropods Class Insecta Insects Order Thysanura Silverfish, Bristletail, & Firebrat

Photographs

[Thysanuran sp.] Photo copyright UC Berkeley [Species: Lespisma sacchrina Photo copyright Drees

Geographic distribution

Thysanurans are worldwide in distribution where their favorable habitats exist: soil, leaf litter, houses, and even termite nests. -- ( Britannica.com)

Natural history

After hatching, the nymphs change to adults with minimal metamorphosis. The young are similar to adults except in size, molting until sexual maturity is attained. Molting may continue into adulthood, and there may be more than forty molts in the life of a thysanuran. They feed on decaying or dried vegetable material, animal remains, and domestic species feed on starchy material such as paper, binding, and artificial silk. -- ( Britannica.com) Members of Thysanura do not copulate. Instead, the male uses his genitalia to deposit sperm packets, and the female picks it up and places it in her vagina. The oval, whitish eggs are thought to be inserted into cracks and soil litter. -- (Britannica.com)

How to encounter

Indoor species can be trapped or collected with forceps or a moistened brush. Outdoor species can be collected by searching in damp places: in soil, under rocks or wood, in leaf litter, or even in moss. The outdoor species can also be collected with forceps or a brush. At night you can shine a light in places where they occur and in less than half an hour they usually start crawling towards it. - (Borror et al., 1989) Control of domestic species may not be necessary if only a few are present or if damage is limited to small areas. Eliminating moisture problems where the pests can develop may be of some benefit. Household residual insecticides applied as sprays, dusts, or baits can be used if necessary and safe. Focus on cracks, niches, and other likely hiding spots in the areas where the pests are noticed. A typical 'over the counter' pest spray such as "Raid" may be helpful. Boric acid dust, which is low in toxicity and long lasting, and household pest baits can also be used. -- (Iowa State Insect Notes)

Links to other sites

Iowa State University's Entomology website has an illustration of the Thysanuran life cycle.

References

Borror, Donald J., Norman F. Johnson, and Charles A. Triplehorn. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing. 1989. 6th ed. Kellogg, Vernon L. American Insects. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 1905.

Acknowledgements

Stephen Boyd, Scientific illustration major at the University of Georgia, Athens Ga. Thanks to Sabina Gupta, Denise Lim, and Dr. John Pickering for technical and web support in developing this page. Special Thanks to: David R. Maddison, U.C. Berkeley, Drees at Texas A&M, Iowa State University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University