People on this forum need to stop trying to cut corners man!
- Thread starter spencer2121
- Start date
- Status
fabfun
New Member
[/SIZE] Anuraphis maidiradicis (Forbes), Aphididae, HEMIPTERA)
DESCRIPTION
Adult - This typically wingless, blue-green aphid has a black head and black or reddish-brown eyes. The female in the egg- laying period has a gray body with a pink abdomen and a white, powdery coating. The various adult forms range from 1.5 to 2.0 mm long. Egg - The dark green, oval-elongate egg is less than 1 mm long.
Nymph - The pale green nymph has red eyes, resembles the adult in shape, and measures from 0.3 to 2.0 mm in length.
Color plate.
BIOLOGY
Distribution - Although generally distributed, the corn root aphid is most prevalent throughout the corn- and cotton-growing areas east of the Rocky mountains. It is considered a problem in Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, particularly under minimum and no-tillage cropping systems. Host Plants - Corn, cotton, and smartweed roots seem to be the most common hosts of the corn root aphid. Other hosts include broomcorn, crabgrass, dock, foxtail, knotweed, mustard, pigweed, plantain, purslane, ragweed, sorghum, sorrel, squash, and wheat roots.
Damage - The corn root aphid pierces roots with its needle- like mouthparts and extracts sap. As a result of aphids' feeding, the foliage soon develops a characteristic yellowish to reddish tinge. Heavily infested seedlings become stunted, rarely growing taller than 25 cm (10 inches). In addition to these symptoms, infested fields are likely to harbor many anthills; however, the presence of anthills does not necessarily imply infestation by the corn root aphid.
Life History - Throughout their life cycle, corn root aphids are highly dependent upon ants, especially cornfield ants. In most areas, the aphids overwinter as eggs deep within the ant nest. In late March or April, ants carry newly hatched nymphs to the roots of corn or weeds, particularly dock and smartweed. If corn seedlings are available, aphids are transferred to them either from the over-wintering nest or from weeds. Later the ants feed on the aphids' honeydew secretions. First-generation aphid nymphs feed on roots for 2 to 3 weeks before developing into wingless female adults. By-passing the egg-laying stage, these mature aphids soon give birth to 40 or 50 live nymphs. As summer approaches and temperatures increase, nymphs may mature in as few as 8 days. After several generations, winged female aphids often appear and fly to nearby fields, especially corn or cotton. After landing on anthills, they are carried to the roots by ants. Here the aphids continue to feed and reproduce as before until the approach of cold weather. In the fall, wingless male and female forms develop, mate, and are responsible for the production of overwintering eggs. These eggs are protected from the cold by the ants which carry them deep into their nests. The number of annual aphid generations varies greatly with latitude and environmental conditions. In no- till corn, 10 to 22 generations per year are possible.
CONTROL
Corn root aphid infestations can be prevented by a variety of cultural practices. Control of weedy hosts in spring eliminates breeding and feeding sites for a large segment of the first aphid generations. Proper cultural practices throughout the growing season stimulate rapid corn growth and greatly reduce early season stimulate rapid corn growth and greatly reduce early season stunting by aphids. Deep tillage at least every other year weakens ant colonies and thereby decreases the chances that overwintering aphid eggs will survive. Finally, and most importantly, crop rotation prevents the buildup of large ant and aphid populations in any one field. For further control information, consult the current North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual.
fabfun
New Member
Silverfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Silverfish (disambiguation).
Look up silverfish in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Lepisma saccharina
Temporal range: 300–0 Ma
Late Carboniferous to Recent[1]
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Thysanura Family: Lepismatidae Genus: Lepisma Species: L. saccharina Binomial name Lepisma saccharina
Linnaeus, 1758
Lepisma saccharina, frequently called silverfish, fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites, are small, wingless insects in the order Thysanura. Its common name derives from the animal's silvery light grey and blue colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements, while the scientific name indicates the silverfish's diet of carbohydrates such as sugar or starches.
Contents
[hide]
Silverfish are nocturnal, elongated and flattened insects typically 13–25 millimetres (0.51–0.98 in) long.[2] Their abdomen tapers at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance.[3] The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older.[4] They have three long cerci at the tips of their abdomens, one off the end of their body, one facing left, and one facing right. They also have two small compound eyes, despite other members of Thysanura being completely eyeless, such as the family Nicoletiidae.[3][5]
Like other species in Apterygota, silverfish completely lack wings.[3][6] They have long antennae, and move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish.[7] This, coupled with their appearance, influences their common name. Silverfish typically live for two to eight years.[4]
[edit] Distribution
Silverfish are a cosmopolitan species, found throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the Pacific.[8] They inhabit moist areas, requiring a relative humidity between 75% and 95%.[9] In urban areas, they can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics.[4]
[edit] Reproduction and life cycle
A silverfish without its silvery scales, which are developed after its third moult
The reproduction of silverfish is preceded by a ritual involving three phases, which may last over half an hour. In the first phase, the male and female stand face to face, their trembling antennae touching, then repeatedly back off and return to this position. In the second phase the male runs away and the female chases him. In the third phase the male and female stand side by side and head-to-tail, with the male vibrating his tail against the female.[10] Finally the male lays a spermatophore, a sperm capsule covered in gossamer, which the female takes into her body via her ovipositor to fertilise the eggs.
The female lays groups of less than fifty eggs at once, deposited in small crevices.[11] The eggs are oval-shaped, whitish, about 0.8 millimetres (0.031 in) long,[12] and take between two weeks and two months to hatch. Silverfish usually lay fewer than one hundred eggs in their lifetime.[2]
When the nymphs hatch, they are whitish in colour, and look like smaller adults. As they moult, young silverfish develop a greyish appearance and a metallic shine, eventually becoming adults after three months to three years.[11] They may go through seventeen to sixty-six moults in their lifetime, sometimes thirty in a single year, which is much more than usual for an insect. Silverfish are one of the rare species of insect that continue to moult after mating.[13]
[edit] Ecology
A book damaged by silverfish
Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives.[4] These include glue, book bindings, plaster, some paints, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to tapestries. Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibres and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton). During famine, a silverfish may even attack leatherware and synthetic fabrics. Silverfish can live for a year or more without eating.[2][4]
Silverfish are considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property.[2] Although they are responsible for the contamination of food and other types of damage, they do not transmit disease.[4][14]
Earwigs, house centipedes and spiders are known to be predators of silverfish.[15][16]
[edit] Etymology
The scientific name for the species is Lepisma saccharina, due to its tendency to eat starchy foods high in carbohydrates and protein, such as dextrin.[4] However, the insect's more common name comes from the insect's distinctive metallic appearance and fish-like shape.[17] While the scientific name can be traced back to 1758, the common name has been in use since at least 1855.[18][19]
[edit] Similar species
Other similar insect species are known as silverfish. Two other silverfish are common in North America, Ctenolepisma longicaudata and Ctenolepisma quadriseriata.[11] Ctenolepisma urbana is known as the urban silverfish.[8] The Australian species most commonly referred to as silverfish is a different lepismatid, Acrotelsella devriesiana.[3] The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is like a silverfish but smaller.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
External identifiers for Lepisma saccharina NCBI Taxonomy 50586 ITIS 99222 Encyclopedia of Life 1022755 Also found in: Wikispecies, ADW
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverfish"
View page ratings
Rate this page
Rate this page
Page ratings
What's this?
Current average ratings.
Trustworthy
Objective
Complete
Well-written
I am highly knowledgeable about this topic (optional) I have a relevant college/university degree
It is part of my profession
It is a deep personal passion
The source of my knowledge is not listed here
I would like to help improve Wikipedia, send me an e-mail (optional) We will send you a confirmation e-mail. We will not share your address with anyone. (Privacy policy)
Submit ratings Saved successfully
Your ratings have not been submitted yet
Your ratings have expired
Please reevaluate this page and submit new ratings.
An error has occured. Please try again later.
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Please take a moment to complete a short survey.
Start survey Maybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Do you want to create an account?
An account will help you track your edits, get involved in discussions, and be a part of the community.
Create an accountorLog in Maybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Did you know that you can edit this page?
Edit this page Maybe later
Categories: Thysanura | Household pest insects | Animals described in 1758
Hidden categories: Articles with 'species' microformats
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Views
Actions
Search
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Silverfish (disambiguation).
Temporal range: 300–0 Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Late Carboniferous to Recent[1]
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Thysanura Family: Lepismatidae Genus: Lepisma Species: L. saccharina Binomial name Lepisma saccharinaLinnaeus, 1758
Lepisma saccharina, frequently called silverfish, fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites, are small, wingless insects in the order Thysanura. Its common name derives from the animal's silvery light grey and blue colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements, while the scientific name indicates the silverfish's diet of carbohydrates such as sugar or starches.
Contents
[hide]
- 1 Description
- 2 Distribution
- 3 Reproduction and life cycle
- 4 Ecology
- 5 Etymology
- 6 Similar species
- 7 References
- 8 External links
Silverfish are nocturnal, elongated and flattened insects typically 13–25 millimetres (0.51–0.98 in) long.[2] Their abdomen tapers at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance.[3] The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older.[4] They have three long cerci at the tips of their abdomens, one off the end of their body, one facing left, and one facing right. They also have two small compound eyes, despite other members of Thysanura being completely eyeless, such as the family Nicoletiidae.[3][5]
Like other species in Apterygota, silverfish completely lack wings.[3][6] They have long antennae, and move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish.[7] This, coupled with their appearance, influences their common name. Silverfish typically live for two to eight years.[4]
[edit] Distribution
Silverfish are a cosmopolitan species, found throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the Pacific.[8] They inhabit moist areas, requiring a relative humidity between 75% and 95%.[9] In urban areas, they can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics.[4]
[edit] Reproduction and life cycle
A silverfish without its silvery scales, which are developed after its third moult
The reproduction of silverfish is preceded by a ritual involving three phases, which may last over half an hour. In the first phase, the male and female stand face to face, their trembling antennae touching, then repeatedly back off and return to this position. In the second phase the male runs away and the female chases him. In the third phase the male and female stand side by side and head-to-tail, with the male vibrating his tail against the female.[10] Finally the male lays a spermatophore, a sperm capsule covered in gossamer, which the female takes into her body via her ovipositor to fertilise the eggs.
The female lays groups of less than fifty eggs at once, deposited in small crevices.[11] The eggs are oval-shaped, whitish, about 0.8 millimetres (0.031 in) long,[12] and take between two weeks and two months to hatch. Silverfish usually lay fewer than one hundred eggs in their lifetime.[2]
When the nymphs hatch, they are whitish in colour, and look like smaller adults. As they moult, young silverfish develop a greyish appearance and a metallic shine, eventually becoming adults after three months to three years.[11] They may go through seventeen to sixty-six moults in their lifetime, sometimes thirty in a single year, which is much more than usual for an insect. Silverfish are one of the rare species of insect that continue to moult after mating.[13]
[edit] Ecology
A book damaged by silverfish
Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives.[4] These include glue, book bindings, plaster, some paints, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to tapestries. Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibres and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton). During famine, a silverfish may even attack leatherware and synthetic fabrics. Silverfish can live for a year or more without eating.[2][4]
Silverfish are considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property.[2] Although they are responsible for the contamination of food and other types of damage, they do not transmit disease.[4][14]
Earwigs, house centipedes and spiders are known to be predators of silverfish.[15][16]
[edit] Etymology
The scientific name for the species is Lepisma saccharina, due to its tendency to eat starchy foods high in carbohydrates and protein, such as dextrin.[4] However, the insect's more common name comes from the insect's distinctive metallic appearance and fish-like shape.[17] While the scientific name can be traced back to 1758, the common name has been in use since at least 1855.[18][19]
[edit] Similar species
Other similar insect species are known as silverfish. Two other silverfish are common in North America, Ctenolepisma longicaudata and Ctenolepisma quadriseriata.[11] Ctenolepisma urbana is known as the urban silverfish.[8] The Australian species most commonly referred to as silverfish is a different lepismatid, Acrotelsella devriesiana.[3] The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is like a silverfish but smaller.
[edit] References
- ^ Hoell, H.V., Doyen, J.T. & Purcell, A.H. (199
. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed.. Oxford University Press. p. 320. ISBN 0-19-510033-6. - ^ a b c d Day, Eric (August, 1996). "Silverfish factsheet, Department of Entomology". Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University. http://sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/silverfi.html. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- ^ a b c d "Thysanura - silverfish". CSIRO Entomology. Australia. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/thysanura.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jackman (1981). "Silverfish". AgriLife Extension. http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg2.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ "Thysanura Families". CSIRO Entomology. Australia. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/thysanura_families/thysanura_families.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ Hoell, H.V., Doyen, J.T. & Purcell, A.H. (199. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed.. Oxford University Press. pp. 333–340. ISBN 0-19-510033-6.
- ^ "Silverfish and Firebrats". Iowa Insect Information Notes. Iowa State University. 2005-07-14. http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/silverfi.html. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ a b Yates, Julian R. III (December 1992). "Silverfish". University of Hawaii. http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/Kbase/urban/site/silverfish.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Barnes, Jeffrey K. (October 6, 2005). "Silverfish". Arthropod Museum Notes. University of Arkansas. http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/silfsh.html. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- ^ Von H. Sturm (1965) Die Paarung beim Silberfischen, Lepisma saccharina. In Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie, Band 13, Heft 1.
- ^ a b c Houseman, Richard (August 2007). "Silverfish and Firebrats". University of Missouri Extension. http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G7376. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ Koehler, P. G.; Branscome, D.; Oi, F. M.. "Booklice and Silverfish". Electronic Data Information Source. University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig094. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Hubbell, Sue (1993). Broadsides from the Other Odors. ISBN 0-679-40062-1.
- ^ Hahn, Jeffrey; Kells, Stephen A. (2006). "Silverfish and Firebrats". University of Minnesota Extension. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1018.html. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Jacobs, Steve, Sr. (January 2006). "House Centipedes — Entomology — Penn State University". Pennsylvania State University. http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/house-centipedes. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ Pehling, Dave (November 2007). "Spiders". Washington State University. http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse005/inse005.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ "Silverfish". Dictionary.com Unabridged. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/silverfish. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ Linnaeus, Carolus (175. Systema Naturae. 1 (10th ed.). p. 608.
- ^ Harper, Douglas (November 2001). "Silverfish". Online Etymology Dictionary. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=s&p=22. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
[edit] External links
External identifiers for Lepisma saccharina NCBI Taxonomy 50586 ITIS 99222 Encyclopedia of Life 1022755 Also found in: Wikispecies, ADW
- Fact sheet on silverfish highlighting habits, habitat and threats
- Photo: Silverfish or Firebrat
- Klass, Carolyn (11/1981; updated 12/200. "Silverfish and Firebrats". Cornell University. http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/extension/idl/upload/Silverfish-and-Firebrats.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-25. At Cornell Cooperative Extension, Insect Diagnostics Laboratory
-
Media related to Lepisma saccharina at Wikimedia Commons
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverfish"
View page ratings
Rate this page
Rate this page
Page ratings
What's this?
Current average ratings.
Trustworthy
Objective
Complete
Well-written
I am highly knowledgeable about this topic (optional) I have a relevant college/university degree
It is part of my profession
It is a deep personal passion
The source of my knowledge is not listed here
I would like to help improve Wikipedia, send me an e-mail (optional) We will send you a confirmation e-mail. We will not share your address with anyone. (Privacy policy)
Submit ratings Saved successfully
Your ratings have not been submitted yet
Your ratings have expired
Please reevaluate this page and submit new ratings.
An error has occured. Please try again later.
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Please take a moment to complete a short survey.
Start survey Maybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Do you want to create an account?
An account will help you track your edits, get involved in discussions, and be a part of the community.
Create an accountorLog in Maybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.
Did you know that you can edit this page?
Edit this page Maybe later
Categories: Thysanura | Household pest insects | Animals described in 1758
Hidden categories: Articles with 'species' microformats
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Views
Actions
Search
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
- What links here
- Related changes
- Upload file
- Special pages
- Permanent link
- Cite this page
- Rate this page
Print/export
Languages
- Brezhoneg
- Català
- Česky
- Dansk
- Deutsch
- Español
- Esperanto
- Euskara
- فارسی
- Français
- 한국어
- Hornjoserbsce
- Íslenska
- Italiano
- עברית
- Latina
- Lëtzebuergesch
- Lietuvių
- Limburgs
- Magyar
- Malti
- Bahasa Melayu
- Nederlands
- 日本語
- Nordfriisk
- ‪Norsk (bokmål)‬
- ‪Norsk (nynorsk)‬
- Polski
- Português
- Русский
- Sicilianu
- Suomi
- Svenska
- Tagalog
- Türkçe
- 中文
- This page was last modified on 27 August 2011 at 19:26.
- Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details.
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. - Contact us
fabfun
New Member
Silverfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Silverfish (disambiguation).
Look up silverfish in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Lepisma saccharina
Temporal range: 300–0 Ma
Late Carboniferous to Recent[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Thysanura Family: Lepismatidae Genus: Lepisma Species: L. saccharina Binomial name Lepisma saccharina
Linnaeus, 1758
Lepisma saccharina, frequently called silverfish, fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites, are small, wingless insects in the order Thysanura. Its common name derives from the animal's silvery light grey and blue colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements, while the scientific name indicates the silverfish's diet of carbohydrates such as sugar or starches.
Contents
[hide]
Silverfish are nocturnal, elongated and flattened insects typically 13–25 millimetres (0.51–0.98 in) long.[2] Their abdomen tapers at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance.[3] The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older.[4] They have three long cerci at the tips of their abdomens, one off the end of their body, one facing left, and one facing right. They also have two small compound eyes, despite other members of Thysanura being completely eyeless, such as the family Nicoletiidae.[3][5]
Like other species in Apterygota, silverfish completely lack wings.[3][6] They have long antennae, and move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish.[7] This, coupled with their appearance, influences their common name. Silverfish typically live for two to eight years.[4]
[edit] Distribution
Silverfish are a cosmopolitan species, found throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the Pacific.[8] They inhabit moist areas, requiring a relative humidity between 75% and 95%.[9] In urban areas, they can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics.[4]
[edit] Reproduction and life cycle
A silverfish without its silvery scales, which are developed after its third moult
The reproduction of silverfish is preceded by a ritual involving three phases, which may last over half an hour. In the first phase, the male and female stand face to face, their trembling antennae touching, then repeatedly back off and return to this position. In the second phase the male runs away and the female chases him. In the third phase the male and female stand side by side and head-to-tail, with the male vibrating his tail against the female.[10] Finally the male lays a spermatophore, a sperm capsule covered in gossamer, which the female takes into her body via her ovipositor to fertilise the eggs.
The female lays groups of less than fifty eggs at once, deposited in small crevices.[11] The eggs are oval-shaped, whitish, about 0.8 millimetres (0.031 in) long,[12] and take between two weeks and two months to hatch. Silverfish usually lay fewer than one hundred eggs in their lifetime.[2]
When the nymphs hatch, they are whitish in colour, and look like smaller adults. As they moult, young silverfish develop a greyish appearance and a metallic shine, eventually becoming adults after three months to three years.[11] They may go through seventeen to sixty-six moults in their lifetime, sometimes thirty in a single year, which is much more than usual for an insect. Silverfish are one of the rare species of insect that continue to moult after mating.[13]
[edit] Ecology
A book damaged by silverfish
Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives.[4] These include glue, book bindings, plaster, some paints, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to tapestries. Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibres and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton). During famine, a silverfish may even attack leatherware and synthetic fabrics. Silverfish can live for a year or more without eating.[2][4]
Silverfish are considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property.[2] Although they are responsible for the contamination of food and other types of damage, they do not transmit disease.[4][14]
Earwigs, house centipedes and spiders are known to be predators of silverfish.[15][16]
[edit] Etymology
The scientific name for the species is Lepisma saccharina, due to its tendency to eat starchy foods high in carbohydrates and protein, such as dextrin.[4] However, the insect's more common name comes from the insect's distinctive metallic appearance and fish-like shape.[17] While the scientific name can be traced back to 1758, the common name has been in use since at least 1855.[18][19]
[edit] Similar species
Other similar insect species are known as silverfish. Two other silverfish are common in North America, Ctenolepisma longicaudata and Ctenolepisma quadriseriata.[11] Ctenolepisma urbana is known as the urban silverfish.[8] The Australian species most commonly referred to as silverfish is a different lepismatid, Acrotelsella devriesiana.[3] The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is like a silverfish but smaller.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
External identifiers for Lepisma saccharina NCBI Taxonomy 50586 ITIS 99222 Encyclopedia of Life 1022755 Also found in: Wikispecies, ADW
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Silverfish (disambiguation).
Temporal range: 300–0 Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Late Carboniferous to Recent[1]
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Thysanura Family: Lepismatidae Genus: Lepisma Species: L. saccharina Binomial name Lepisma saccharinaLinnaeus, 1758
Lepisma saccharina, frequently called silverfish, fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites, are small, wingless insects in the order Thysanura. Its common name derives from the animal's silvery light grey and blue colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements, while the scientific name indicates the silverfish's diet of carbohydrates such as sugar or starches.
Contents
[hide]
- 1 Description
- 2 Distribution
- 3 Reproduction and life cycle
- 4 Ecology
- 5 Etymology
- 6 Similar species
- 7 References
- 8 External links
Silverfish are nocturnal, elongated and flattened insects typically 13–25 millimetres (0.51–0.98 in) long.[2] Their abdomen tapers at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance.[3] The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older.[4] They have three long cerci at the tips of their abdomens, one off the end of their body, one facing left, and one facing right. They also have two small compound eyes, despite other members of Thysanura being completely eyeless, such as the family Nicoletiidae.[3][5]
Like other species in Apterygota, silverfish completely lack wings.[3][6] They have long antennae, and move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish.[7] This, coupled with their appearance, influences their common name. Silverfish typically live for two to eight years.[4]
[edit] Distribution
Silverfish are a cosmopolitan species, found throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the Pacific.[8] They inhabit moist areas, requiring a relative humidity between 75% and 95%.[9] In urban areas, they can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics.[4]
[edit] Reproduction and life cycle
A silverfish without its silvery scales, which are developed after its third moult
The reproduction of silverfish is preceded by a ritual involving three phases, which may last over half an hour. In the first phase, the male and female stand face to face, their trembling antennae touching, then repeatedly back off and return to this position. In the second phase the male runs away and the female chases him. In the third phase the male and female stand side by side and head-to-tail, with the male vibrating his tail against the female.[10] Finally the male lays a spermatophore, a sperm capsule covered in gossamer, which the female takes into her body via her ovipositor to fertilise the eggs.
The female lays groups of less than fifty eggs at once, deposited in small crevices.[11] The eggs are oval-shaped, whitish, about 0.8 millimetres (0.031 in) long,[12] and take between two weeks and two months to hatch. Silverfish usually lay fewer than one hundred eggs in their lifetime.[2]
When the nymphs hatch, they are whitish in colour, and look like smaller adults. As they moult, young silverfish develop a greyish appearance and a metallic shine, eventually becoming adults after three months to three years.[11] They may go through seventeen to sixty-six moults in their lifetime, sometimes thirty in a single year, which is much more than usual for an insect. Silverfish are one of the rare species of insect that continue to moult after mating.[13]
[edit] Ecology
A book damaged by silverfish
Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives.[4] These include glue, book bindings, plaster, some paints, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to tapestries. Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibres and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton). During famine, a silverfish may even attack leatherware and synthetic fabrics. Silverfish can live for a year or more without eating.[2][4]
Silverfish are considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property.[2] Although they are responsible for the contamination of food and other types of damage, they do not transmit disease.[4][14]
Earwigs, house centipedes and spiders are known to be predators of silverfish.[15][16]
[edit] Etymology
The scientific name for the species is Lepisma saccharina, due to its tendency to eat starchy foods high in carbohydrates and protein, such as dextrin.[4] However, the insect's more common name comes from the insect's distinctive metallic appearance and fish-like shape.[17] While the scientific name can be traced back to 1758, the common name has been in use since at least 1855.[18][19]
[edit] Similar species
Other similar insect species are known as silverfish. Two other silverfish are common in North America, Ctenolepisma longicaudata and Ctenolepisma quadriseriata.[11] Ctenolepisma urbana is known as the urban silverfish.[8] The Australian species most commonly referred to as silverfish is a different lepismatid, Acrotelsella devriesiana.[3] The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is like a silverfish but smaller.
[edit] References
- ^ Hoell, H.V., Doyen, J.T. & Purcell, A.H. (199. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed.. Oxford University Press. p. 320. ISBN 0-19-510033-6.
- ^ a b c d Day, Eric (August, 1996). "Silverfish factsheet, Department of Entomology". Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University. http://sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/silverfi.html. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- ^ a b c d "Thysanura - silverfish". CSIRO Entomology. Australia. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/thysanura.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jackman (1981). "Silverfish". AgriLife Extension. http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg2.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ "Thysanura Families". CSIRO Entomology. Australia. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/thysanura_families/thysanura_families.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ Hoell, H.V., Doyen, J.T. & Purcell, A.H. (199. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed.. Oxford University Press. pp. 333–340. ISBN 0-19-510033-6.
- ^ "Silverfish and Firebrats". Iowa Insect Information Notes. Iowa State University. 2005-07-14. http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/silverfi.html. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ a b Yates, Julian R. III (December 1992). "Silverfish". University of Hawaii. http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/Kbase/urban/site/silverfish.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Barnes, Jeffrey K. (October 6, 2005). "Silverfish". Arthropod Museum Notes. University of Arkansas. http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/silfsh.html. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- ^ Von H. Sturm (1965) Die Paarung beim Silberfischen, Lepisma saccharina. In Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie, Band 13, Heft 1.
- ^ a b c Houseman, Richard (August 2007). "Silverfish and Firebrats". University of Missouri Extension. http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G7376. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ Koehler, P. G.; Branscome, D.; Oi, F. M.. "Booklice and Silverfish". Electronic Data Information Source. University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig094. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Hubbell, Sue (1993). Broadsides from the Other Odors. ISBN 0-679-40062-1.
- ^ Hahn, Jeffrey; Kells, Stephen A. (2006). "Silverfish and Firebrats". University of Minnesota Extension. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1018.html. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Jacobs, Steve, Sr. (January 2006). "House Centipedes — Entomology — Penn State University". Pennsylvania State University. http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/house-centipedes. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ Pehling, Dave (November 2007). "Spiders". Washington State University. http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse005/inse005.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ^ "Silverfish". Dictionary.com Unabridged. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/silverfish. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ Linnaeus, Carolus (175. Systema Naturae. 1 (10th ed.). p. 608.
- ^ Harper, Douglas (November 2001). "Silverfish". Online Etymology Dictionary. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=s&p=22. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
[edit] External links
External identifiers for Lepisma saccharina NCBI Taxonomy 50586 ITIS 99222 Encyclopedia of Life 1022755 Also found in: Wikispecies, ADW
- Fact sheet on silverfish highlighting habits, habitat and threats
- Photo: Silverfish or Firebrat
- Klass, Carolyn (11/1981; updated 12/200. "Silverfish and Firebrats". Cornell University. http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/extension/idl/upload/Silverfish-and-Firebrats.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-25. At Cornell Cooperative Extension, Insect Diagnostics Laboratory
-
Media related to Lepisma saccharina at Wikimedia Commons
cranker
Legal Moderator, Esq.
They also eat mold so check your other plants for mold. I'd suggest putting the plant outside, soaking bread in sugar water, and put it around the plant. Give them an easier food source, hopefully they take the bait and see if you can get them off your plant and let it finish. Worth a shot.
fabfun
New Member
i know blame riu
i tried to delete it but i fucked up sorry guys hope we turn to another page after i post so i dont have to scroll through it again
EvolAlex
Well-Known Member
lol let me give you a hand
fabfun
New Member
just double posting
how are you
shrxhky420
Well-Known Member
looks more like the silverfish than the aphid... the only thing is it really doesn't have a tail... I'm gonna try and get a better pic in the morn. so will the sevin work as preventative measure too? Like I said i'm afraid of my other girls getting infected, which they might already be. I'm guessing I can get the sevin at my local hydro shop?
EvolAlex
Well-Known Member
pretty good, just got home from school, checkin this site then headed to the room for my daily check ups
shrxhky420
Well-Known Member
next page please
EvolAlex
Well-Known Member
i got this, lol
fabfun
New Member
the root aphids look nothing like it
but does it have 3 things stinging out ass or just two
i notice most pics on google show 3
EvolAlex
Well-Known Member
were almost on the next page again, this thread is fucking huge
- Status