Do Silverfish Have a Larval Stage?
WouterSilverfish are nocturnal insects. They usually live in damp, cool and dark environments. Their bodies are covered in fine scales. The female silverfish lays eggs in crevices and cracks. These eggs are buried one to three in small groups or singly.
Female silverfish typically lay up to 100 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs hatch in 19 to 43 days. Once hatched, the silverfish nymphs develop into adults.
The adult silverfish can live up to eight years. This is an exceptionally long lifespan for an insect. It can survive for many months without food.
Adult silverfish are quarter-inch to half-inch long. They are light in color, with three pairs of legs. On the head, the silverfish has two antennae. At the end of the body, it has three long bristles, which give the silverfish its alternative name, bristletail.
Adult silverfish are generally nocturnal, meaning they move around during the day and hide during the night. During the day, they feed on carbohydrates and protein. During the night, they are mainly active searching for food.
Silverfish eat a variety of foods, including mold, dandruff and starches. However, they prefer proteins. In addition to their food source, the silverfish also eat the bodies of other insects that molt.
In order to survive, the silverfish needs a high humidity. Ideally, it needs temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unlike most other insects, the silverfish can survive for a period of time without food. Depending on the quality of its food, the female can lay as many as 50 to 100 eggs.
