Thysanura

Thysanura is an order of small active insects that includes the familiar silverfish Lepisma saccharina and the firebrat. The order includes about 370 species worldwide, in four families. The insects of the order may be called bristletails, from their three long caudal filaments.

Related Topics:
Order - Insect - Lepisma saccharina - Firebrat

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Silverfish are so called due to the silvery glitter of the scales covering their bodies. Their movement is "fish-like" and makes it look as if they're swimming. They are less than half an inch long and found in damp corners or amongst books and papers in houses. Although accredited with destroying paper and linen, it probably feeds only on farinaceous (flour) or sugary substances. Silverfish can sometimes be found in bathtubs or sinks at night, as they have difficulty moving on smooth surfaces and so become trapped.

Related Topics:
Glitter - Scales - Book - Paper - House - Linen - Farinaceous - Bathtub - Sink

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The families Machilidae and Meinerellidae of the jumping bristletails were once included with Thysanura, but now have their own order, Microcoryphia.

Related Topics:
Machilidae - Meinerellidae - Jumping bristletail - Microcoryphia

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There are no current species at conservation risk.

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