
Department of Entomology

Thysanura
(Silverfish)

Thysanura - Brigham Young/VPI & SU PCD0330010
I. Background information
A. Origin of name
- thysan, bristle; ura, tail
- Refers to fringe on cerci and caudal filament
B. Classification
- Suborders - None
- America north of Mexico - 3 families, 10 genera, 30 species
- World - 5 families, 60 genera, 320 species
- Estimate of undescribe species - 40%
C. Common names - Siverfish
D. Type of metamorphosis - Simple
E. Phylogenetic relationships
- Ectognathus
- Styli present
- No pleural sutures - i.e., no episternum or epimeron
II. Morphological characteristics
A. Short styli on abdominal segments 2-7
B. Two cerci and a median caudal filament
C. Compound eyes small or absent
D. Somewhat flattened
E. Antennae present
F. Wingless
III. Biological summary for the order
A. Life history
- Eggs - Scattered singly and often disguised with bits of plants or soil.
- Nymphs
- Adults
- Some known to be parthenogenetic.
B. Habitat
- Under bark, leaf litter
- Some species inhabit caves
- Others found in ant and termite nests (vegetable feeders)
- High humidity
C. Habits (mode of existence)
- Common species in domestic situations feeds on starchy materials (e.g., wall paper glue, book bindings, and photographs).
- Vegetable feeders
D. Collecting and preserving
- Berlese funnel leaf litter.
- 80% alcohol
- Keep in alcohol, do not mount on slides.
F. Behavior
- Ability to jump
- Primarily nocturnal
- Eyes glow at night when illuminated
G. Significance
- Economic - Domestic and library problem when feeding on starchy materials (e.g., wall paper and book bindings) - Lepisma saccharina Linneaus
- Ecological

Prepared by: F. W. Ravlin, VPI & SU
Last modified: 9/3/96