Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
the former Thermobia campbelli, cincta, and longimana were synonymized with T. aegyptiaca in a 1998 revision of the genus by J. Irish
Explanation of Names
THERMOBIA: from the Greek "therme" (heat); refers to the preference of Thermobia species for warm or hot environments
Numbers
2 species in North America listed at
nearctica.comIdentification
The Firebrat (T. domestica) has an oblong/elongate yellowish body with dark brown bands and mottled spots on the dorsal surface, and is stout-bodied (abdomen relatively broad-tipped and often shorter than thorax, giving an overall "chunky" appearance)
Habitat
T. domestica prefers hot places (above 30 degrees C [90 degrees F.]) 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 or so and take 12 to 13 days to hatch; adulthood is reached at about four months of age, and individuals live for several years; simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult); up to several generations per year
Remarks
T. campbelli was discovered in good numbers in the basement of the main library at Ohio State University in the late 1940s, and described as a new species, Ctenolepisma campbelli, by Clyde Barnhart in 1951 in honor of former Ohio State entomology professor, F.L. Campbell. The species was later transferred to the genus Thermobia, and most recently was synonymized with T. aegyptiaca in a revision of the genus by J. Irish in 1988. The "campbelli" form of this species is apparently restricted to Ohio, and has a nearly transparent body, transparent legs, a white belly, and a dorsal surface with silvery-gray scales - very different from the Firebrat.
See Also
the former T. campbelli (now T. aegyptiaca) is mostly transparent with a silvery-gray dorsal surface, and is apparently restricted to Ohio
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 (formerly Ctenolepisma quadriseriata, now synonymized with C. lineata) has 4 lines down its back, and the Gray [or Giant] Siverfish (which includes the former Ctenolepisma urbana, now synomymized with C. longicaudata) is uniformly gray; both of these species are about 15 mm - almost twice as large as the Firebrat
other species of Lepismatidae are normally found outdoors
also see
Bristletails (order Microcoryphia), which are able to jump, and have a number of other differences
Internet References
live adult image of Firebrat (David Maddison, Arizona, Tree of Life)
adult image of Firebrat (U. of Nebraska)
live adult images plus description, similar species, and biology (U. of Alaska at Fairbanks)
live adult image and biology (Clemson U., South Carlina)
pinned adult images of Common Silverfish and Firebrat (Insects of Quebec)
A New Silverfish of Economic Importance found in the United States; PDF doc - original description of
Thermobia campbelli discovered in the library of Ohio State University (Clyde Barnhart. Ohio State U. 1951.)
