for F E B R U A R Y Silverfish PROPER NAME: Order Zygentoma, Family Lepismatidae, Genus Lepismodes. WHEN MOST PREVALENT: Indoors all year round. SIZE RANGE: 1/2 inch in length (=13mm). [View magnified Insect] WARNINGS: These insects are harmless. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Silverfish are cosmopolitan in their distribution; that is, they can be found in dwellings throughout the world. SOUNDS: None. Silverfish undergo incomplete metamorphosis, which means that they have several larval stages all resembling the adults, but smaller and non-reproductive. One female can lay 10-100 eggs; young take 1-3 years to reach adulthood, and adults can live for several years after that. Silverfish eat the starch in books, clothing, and food, and can often become household pests. Silverfish prefer humid, warm habitats, and are often found in buildings with water leaks and other plumbing problems. Ensuring that your dwelling remains dry and clean will eliminate silverfish. But it may take awhile - silverfish are able to live for up to 10 months without food! FAMILY RELATIONS a) Family: Order Zygentoma, Family Lepismatidae, Genus Thermobia - firebrats. b) Close cousins: Order Microcoryphia - bristletails. [TO TOP] [BUG of the MONTH TABLE] [HOME]