Silverfish !

[Beekeeper]

Just what group do these little things belong to, are they invertebrates or just another insect?

Used to see one or two years ago creaping around the crevises in our old house but never found any damage caused by them, however as i am unsure just what food they survive on maybe i was looking in the wrong place.

Ian

[Ukwildlifeo]

They are still classed as insects, thought they are regarded as one of the 2 most primitive groups (with 3-tailed bristletails being the other).

They eat crumbs and dead skin and what ever little bits of food thay can find I believe. They like damper areas, hence they are most often found in bathrooms

[aeshna5]

They are indeed invertebrates- as are all insects! They belong to an ancient order of insects called Thysanura.

Last week I had to rescue one from our bath when I got up. See them very occasionally in the bathroom when I switch on the light during the hours of darkness. They certainly don't bother me- I suspect many get predated by the numerous Pholcus (not so many atm!) in the house.

[artdemole]

They like high humidity..kitchens..bathrooms.need access to water.Like chewing on paper.Can ruin stamp collections as they like the glue.Lives upto 5 years and has been known to have been kept as PETS.

[Hedera]

They also eat starch - that's why you find them in your cupboard where the flour is. And they eat the wallpaper paste (don't know whether the fungicide affects them.) Very difficult to catch!

[Beekeeper]

Thank you folks for the interesting replies, i have always liked those little creatures, they seem so inoffensive and fragile, as for liking wallpaper paste, hmm, maybe we should all try it, maybe in the future it will be regarded as a delicacy, then again perhaps not.

Ian