Silverfish - Lepisma saccharinum

Alternative names
Lepisma saccharina
Description

This is an elongate, and flattened insect typically 12 to 25 mm in length and wingless. It gets its common name from its silvery light grey and blue colour, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements. The three bristles at the tip of the abdomen are called cerci.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Often found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics, but requiring a relative humidity of between 75% and 95%.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

Nocturnal feeding on carbohydrates and sugars. The things they consume include glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. They can live for a year without eating.

UK Status

Common in Britain

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Silver Fish, Silverfish
Species group:
Silverfish
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Zygentoma
Family:
Lepismatidae
Records on NatureSpot:
56
First record:
05/08/2007 (Ellison, Lorraine)
Last record:
05/11/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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