Talk:Silverfish

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What exactly is meant by "enemy" in the sentence "The natural enemy of silverfish is an insect known as earwig"? Does this mean that earwigs are a predator of silverfish, that silverfish are a predator of earwigs, or that they have the same sources of food and are therefore rivals? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.233.169.46 (talk • contribs) 12 November 2005

I s'pose that earwigs are predators... But it is definitely wrong that silverfish dislike light. They are not phototactic either, but just do not seem to mind (at least the German breed). -- Sanctacaris —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.65.5.19 (talk • contribs) 21 November 2005

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[edit] enemy of librarians!

The silverfish is not always completely harmless -- they can ravage a book collection. For this reason they are often called the enemy of librarians... I will try and dig up a source for this. Brassratgirl 01:35, 14 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Bite?

Do silverfish bite? One time I was sitting around on the floor and felt a sharp pain like something had bit me. I looked around and all I saw was a silverfish running around on the floor. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.250.30.15 (talk • contribs) 7 April 2006

I can't vouch for this, but I'd say that they DON'T bite. A silverfish eats organic debris, so it's unlikely to have recognized you as food. And from what I've seen, this wouldn't be a likely reaction in self-defense either - it would much rather run away as always.

Of course these are speculations. What we need is info on what a silverfish' 'mouth-appendages' look like and if they would be able to break your skin. Assimilateur 21:26, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

Umm according to my Biology book, Silverfish can only chew their food, not bite. I forgot what type of mouth-appendages it said they have though. Though from what I've seen of the stupid creature's unpredictable nature, I'd say the freaking thing did bite you. Those things are just the most disgusting freaks of nature in the world... Link's Awakening 05:22, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

I think you got bitten by a centipede, friend. Even if you really did see a silverfish and not a different long-bodied critter, the two are often found together.

[edit] Control by Freezing

Please add information about control by freezing -- how long at what temperature to kill adults? This seems like possibly a good way to treat an infested pile of important papers. Is it possible to kill silverfish eggs this way? How long at what temperature? (http://www.midwestfreezedryltd.com/Non_Toxic%20Pest%20Control.htm)69.87.202.29 13:39, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

Can the silverfish survive in extreme temperatures like Michigan and Wisconsin during the winter? (Dms99) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dms99 (talk • contribs) 17:25, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Squish

Aren't these the type of bugs who, when squished, turn into a powder-like substance? It would be good to mention that in the article if it's true. ---SilentRAGE! 14:05, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

How could they 'turn into powder'? Sounds like magic. What was probably meant in that 'myth' is that their bodies are covered with some powdery substance. Thus when you touch them, you get silvery-grey powder on your hand (quite similar to what wings of a butterfly are covered with). Assimilateur 21:26, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

As I look at one crawling on my wall, it reminds me of the silverfish I dealt with as a kid, and yes, when you squish them, they turn into MOSTLY powder. More so than a moth. Eddietoran 22:03, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fishlike movements?

The article says that it gets the 'fish' part of its name from its fishlike movements. Having seen many of these insects, I haven't noted such a movement. I rather thought the name came from the fact that the silverfish is scaly. Alpheus 01:12, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

It could be both, but they definitely wriggle like fish. Their bodies are extremely flexible, and in fact you could confuse one for a worm from far away watching it make perfect u-turns.

[edit] Resemblance to crustaceans

I was under the impression that silverfish were soft-shelled crustaceans, not insects, and there does appear to be some confusion as to this. My understanding stemmed from a)being told they were, and b) the characteristics they share in common with modern land-based crustacea (such as woodlice). The segmented armour (though I'm not about to suggest they're of the same order as armadillos) and in particular, the gills (I read they have gills) seemed to confirm it. Plus they're prehistoric bottom feeders occupying similar niches with regard to diet. Also, I'm pretty sure I've seen more than one turn red when boiling water is dumped on it. Could have been the scales washing off. Mainly what had me convinced was the articulation of the body - very few insects seem to writhe like that. Yes I am aware crabs don't either...

Perhaps a more knowledgeable peep would address this in a new section? I did notice a few googloid articles on convergent evolution of silverfish and crustaceans. And if anyone does feel like adding it, boiling water is an excellent way to kill off a population that feeds on food starch in and around the kitchen sink. 172.143.144.156 04:17, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

The primary difference between an insect and a crustacean, as far as I'm aware, is the number of legs. Silverfish have six. Crustaceans have ten or more.

[edit] Vandalism?

Leaving a fingernail clipping (incidentally shaped similarly to silverfish) on the ground appears to ward them off.

Is this a joke?

A long time ago, someone edited House_centipede to include a statement that likened stepping on the detached leg a House Centipede to stepping on a toenail. Considering these two animals are linked to each other in Wikipedia, (since they are often confused for each other) it must have been the same person and is likely vandalism or it's a crazy coincidence. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.142.130.28 (talk) 09:11, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Number of legs?

I saw what I know realize is a "house centipede" in my sink today, and mistakenly thought it was a silverfish, and so did this research. Now, the article points out that the S-fish is an insect. Don't insects necessarily have 6 legs? On the pictures here, it seems to have many apendages... are only six in fact legs? Although it isn't as clear cut a myriapod os the HCs that I now realize infest my house to at least a small degree... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.164.147.147 (talk) 01:50, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Images show other species?

Howdy,

I strongly suspect 3 of the 4 images currently in the article do not show the Lepisma the article is about but rather a Ctenolepisma (possibly C. longicaudata??) - much too "hairy" for my taste. Does the photographer have vesions showing the full length of the antannae/cerci?? Btw, not all images are on Commons ... please look into it. Also, the "bite" passage discussed above is still in the article - my bet on that is "Urban Legend", although some people with (very?) delicate skin seem to be able to get bitten by insects not generally known for biting v_v Cheers. - Pudding 20:34, 18 April 2008 (UTC)