Identification
The Firebrat (T. domestica) has an elongate yellowish body with brown stripes and mottled spots dorsally, and is stout-bodied (abdomen relatively broad-tipped and often shorter than thorax, giving an overall "chunky" appearance)
Habitat
T. domestica prefers hot places (>30°C) such as around furnaces and fireplaces, and in the insulation surrounding hot water and heating pipes, but will explore other areas of homes and buildings in search of food
Food
nymphs and adults feed mostly at night on products rich in carbohydrates or protien; stored foods, glues, book bindings, and paper products may be attacked
Life Cycle
eggs are laid in crevices in batches of ~50 and take 12-13 days to hatch; adulthood is reached at ~4 four months, and individuals live for several years; up to several generations per year
Remarks
T. aegyptiaca was discovered in good numbers in the basement of the main library at Ohio State University in the late 1940s (and described as T. campbelli)
See Also
T. aegyptiaca is mostly transparent, silvery-gray
the Common Silverfish is slightly larger (10 mm) and more slender, is uniformly silver or gray, and is generally not found around furnaces or hot pipes
the Four-lined Silverfish (Ctenolepisma lineata) has 4 lines down its back, and the Gray [or Giant] Siverfish (C. longicaudata) is uniformly gray; both are ~15 mm - almost twice as large as the Firebrat
other species of Lepismatidae are normally found outdoors
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 11 November, 2005 - 9:52pm
Additional contributions by
v belov,
KenWLast updated 22 November, 2021 - 5:52pm