Zygentoma

A deck by Hazel Trent · 3 cards

Silverfish and firebrats. Wingless. Three tail filaments approximately equal in length. Flattened body covered in silvery scales.

Firebrat

The firebrat is a small insect in the order Zygentoma. They look similar to the related silverfishes, but are distinguished by their habit of living in warm regions of homes, of which they get their name.

Silverfish

The silverfish is a species of small, primitive, wingless insect in the order Zygentoma. Its common name derives from the insect's silvery light grey colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements. The scientific name indicates that the silverfish's diet consists of carbohydrates such as sugar or starches. While the common name silverfish is used throughout the global literature to refer to various species of Zygentoma, the Entomological Society of America restricts use of the term solely to Lepisma saccharinum.

Zygentoma

Zygentoma are an order in the class Insecta, and consist of about 550 known species. The Zygentoma include the silverfishes or fishmoths, and the firebrats. A conspicuous feature of the order are the three long caudal filaments. The two lateral filaments are cerci, and the medial one is an epiproct or appendix dorsalis. In this they resemble the Archaeognatha, although the cerci of Zygentoma, unlike in the latter order, are nearly as long as the epiproct.