Firebrat

Firebrat

Taxobox
name = Firebrat



image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Thysanura
familia = Lepismatidae
genus = "Thermobia"
species = "T. domestica"
binomial = "Thermobia domestica"
binomial_authority = Packard, 1873

The Firebrat ("Thermobia domestica", sometimes listed as "Thermophila furnorum") is a small insect (typically 1–1.5 cm) similar to the Silverfish, both in the order Thysanura.

Firebrats prefer higher temperatures and require some humidity, and can be found in bakeries and near boilers or furnaces. They feed on a wide variety of carbohydrates and starches that are also protein sources such as flour and book bindings, and can go for as much as a year without eating. They are distributed throughout most parts of the world and are normally found outdoors under rocks, leaf litter, and similar, but are also often found indoors where they are considered pests. They are primarily a nuisance inside the home or buildings, as they don't cause major damage, though they can contaminate food, damage paper goods, and stain clothing. Otherwise they are mostly harmless.

At 1½ to 4½ months of age the female firebrat begins laying eggs if the temperature is right (90–106 °F or 32–41 °C). She may lay up to 195 eggs in a lifetime. After incubation (12-13 days), the nymphs hatch. The complete life cycle may be passed in 2 to 4 months; thus several generations may result each year.

References

* [http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/firebrat.html Firebrat - from the Virginia Cooperative Extension]
* [http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/tp12.htm Technical Information - Pests, IPM for Silverfish, Firebrats, and Booklice in Schools.] Powell 1998 Ed.

External References

* [http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/entml2/ep123.pdf Silverfish and Firebrats, Kansas State University]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • firebrat — n. (Zo[ o]l.) an insect ({Thermobia domestica}) which is a type of bristletail that lives in warm moist areas e.g. around furnaces. Syn: {Thermobia domestica}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • firebrat — [fīrbrat΄] n. any of various small thysanuran insects (Thermobia domestica) resembling silverfish, found in hot areas, as around steam pipes or fireplaces …   English World dictionary

  • firebrat — noun Date: 1895 a wingless insect (Thermobia domestica) related to the silverfish and found in warm moist places …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • firebrat — /fuyeur brat /, n. a bristletail, Thermobia domestica, that lives in areas around furnaces, boilers, steampipes, etc. [1890 95; FIRE + BRAT] * * * …   Universalium

  • firebrat — noun a fast moving brownish bristletail that frequents warm places indoors. [Thermobia domestica.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • firebrat — fire•brat [[t]ˈfaɪərˌbræt[/t]] n. ent a bristletail, Thermobia domestica, that lives in areas around furnaces, boilers, steampipes, etc • Etymology: 1890–95 …   From formal English to slang

  • firebrat — /ˈfaɪəbræt/ (say fuyuhbrat) noun a small insect, Thermobia domestica, found in warm places around furnaces, boilers, etc …  

  • firebrat — noun lives in warm moist areas e.g. around furnaces • Syn: ↑Thermobia domestica • Hypernyms: ↑bristletail • Member Holonyms: ↑Thermobia, ↑genus Thermobia …   Useful english dictionary

  • Thermobia domestica — firebrat firebrat n. (Zo[ o]l.) an insect ({Thermobia domestica}) which is a type of bristletail that lives in warm moist areas e.g. around furnaces. Syn: {Thermobia domestica}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Thermobia domestica — firebrat firebrat n. (Zo[ o]l.) an insect ({Thermobia domestica}) which is a type of bristletail that lives in warm moist areas e.g. around furnaces. Syn: {Thermobia domestica}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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