Silverfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lepisma saccharina |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Thysanura
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| Family: |
Lepismatidae
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| Genus: |
Lepisma
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| Species: |
L. saccharina
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| Binomial name | |
| Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus, 1758
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The silverfish (scientific name: Lepisma saccharina) is a small insect. It is also known as the fishmoth or urban silverfish. These insects are usually about half an inch to one inch long (12–25 mm). They get their common name from their shiny, silvery-blue color. Their movements also look a bit like a fish swimming.
The scientific name saccharina tells us what silverfish like to eat. They enjoy foods rich in carbohydrates, like sugar and starch. Silverfish are very old insects. Scientists believe they have been around for over 300 million years! Sometimes, people confuse silverfish with house centipedes. House centipedes are another type of bug that moves quickly around homes.
In 2006, a new kind of silverfish was found in caves. This happened in Sequoia National Park in California. This new species, or a close relative, was special because it had no eyes.
What Silverfish Eat
Silverfish love to eat things that contain polysaccharides. These are types of carbohydrates like starches and dextrin. You can find these in many common household items.
They often eat things like:
- Book bindings
- Carpet
- Clothing
- Coffee
- Dandruff (dead skin flakes)
- Glue
- Hair
- Some paints
- Paper
- Photos
- Plaster
- Sugar
Silverfish can even damage wallpaper to get to the paste underneath. They also cause harm to tapestries. Other things they might eat include cotton, dead insects, linen, and silk. They will also eat leftover crumbs. Sometimes, they even eat their own shed skin (called exuvia). If food is scarce, a silverfish might eat leather or man-made fabrics.
Silverfish are very tough. They can live for a year or more without eating. But they do need water to survive.
Silverfish as Pests
Silverfish are often seen as pests in homes. This is because they eat and damage property. They can contaminate food and ruin books or clothes. However, it's important to know that silverfish do not spread diseases.
Some other creatures like to eat silverfish. These include Earwigs, house centipedes, and spiders. These animals are natural predators of silverfish.
Images for kids
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A silverfish
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Ctenolepisma species
See also
In Spanish: Pececillo de plata para niños
