Silverfish

Order Zygentoma

The Silverfish (Order Zygentoma) includes 23 species across 3 families and 11 genera in our directory.

About Silverfish

Zygentoma (silverfish and firebrats) includes ~400 described species. Silverfish are among the oldest living insect orders - they have remained virtually unchanged for over 400 million years, predating dinosaurs by 170 million years.

Economic Impact

Silverfish are common household pests that damage books, wallpaper, clothing, and stored foods by feeding on starch, cellulose, and protein. They can survive for up to a year without food.

Ecological Role

In natural environments, silverfish are important decomposers of plant material. They undergo ametabolous development - they do not metamorphose and continue molting throughout their life, which can span 3-8 years.

Families in Zygentoma (3)

Species in Zygentoma (23)

Battigrassiella wheeleri

Nicoletiidae

Identification: Currently the only species of the genus known north of Mexico.

Four-lined Silverfish

Ctenolepisma lineatum

Lepismatidae

Identification: The abdomen is often marked with 4 dark brown lines. Generally similar to the closely related Common Silverfish ( Lepisma saccharina ) but can be distinguished by being rather stouter and less shiny with all appendages (antennae and 3

Gray Silverfish

Ctenolepisma longicaudatum

Lepismatidae

Identification: body uniformly light to dark gray; abdomen lacks median setal combs (tufts of hair) beneath but has setal combs above; rear of abdomen has two pairs of styli (fingerlike processes)