Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Silverfish (Zygentoma) » Lepismatidae
Photo#241490
Silverfish
Copyright © 2008 Beth Sands

Silverfish
Pleasanton / Sunol, California, USA
November 15, 2008
Size: 1 @ 1/2 cm
I was surprised to find this beautiful shiny large Silverfish running across a hiking trail . I could not capture his true sparkling beauty as it was on the move . It stopped to sniff my finger with it's bristly snout and then moved on his way . I am pretty sure that they don't bite and are harmless . I really don't know much about these fellows . While flipping some sandstone rocks , I did find a few more , but none were as big and sparkling as this one . I am sure that they are quite common , but I know that there is a vast array of different kinds of Silverfish .Thanks for any comments , sincerely Beth
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Beth Sands on 23 November, 2008 - 11:52am
Last updated 19 December, 2008 - 3:14pm

Actually...
...this is a jumping bristletail (Microcoryphia). They are somewhat similar to silverfish, but are usually found outdoors. They are plant-feeders as opposed to silverfish which feed on almost anything.

See reference here:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/80
… Ross Hill, 2 December, 2008 - 5:14pm login or register to post comments

 
I politely disagree.
This 'is' some kind of silverfish. I once found them in abundance under rocks on a hillside in the high desert of eastern Oregon. Moving to family level.
… Eric R. Eaton, 19 December, 2008 - 3:13pm login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact