Biology:Firebrat
The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is a small insect (typically 1–1.5 cm) in the order Zygentoma.[1] They look similar to the related silverfishes, but are distinguished by their habit of living in warm regions of homes, of which they get their name.[2]
Description
Firebrats prefer relatively warm temperatures (36–39 °C) and require some humidity.[3] They are commonly found indoors near heat sources such as furnaces and boilers. They feed on a wide variety of carbohydrates and starches that are also protein sources such as dog food, flour and book bindings. Firebrats also practice cannibalism, eating the eggs, exuviae and corpses of other firebrats.[3] They are distributed throughout most parts of the world and are normally found outdoors under rocks, plant litter, and in similar environments, but are also often found indoors where they are considered pests. They do not cause major damage, but they can contaminate food, damage paper goods, and stain clothing.[2] Otherwise they are mostly harmless. Due to the fact that, in nature, they tend to live in moist environments, the exoskeleton of firebrats is capable of both retaining and excreting water depending on the ambient temperature in their environment.[4] This allows them to tolerate a wide range of humidity.[3] The eggs of firebrats are small, pearly white ovals, though eggs lain in crevices can assume a more flattened shape. The nymphs of the species appear similar to the adults but are a waxy white color.[3]
Behavior
Historically, it had been assumed that communal behavior in firebrats was induced by pheromones,[5] though this is contested. Modern research suggests communal behavior stems from microbes and fungi found in the feces of other firebrats.[6]
Breeding
At 1.5 to 4.5 months of age the female firebrat begins laying eggs if the temperature is right (32–41 °C or 90–106 °F). It may lay up to 6000 eggs in a lifetime of about 3–5 years. After incubation (12–13 days), the nymphs hatch. They may reach maturity in as little as 2–4 months, resulting in several generations each year.[2]
Meiosis
The sequential changes occurring during the prophase I stage of meiosis in T. domestica ovaries have been described in detail.[7]
References
- ↑ P. J. Gullan; P. S. Cranston (13 July 2010). The Insects: An Outline of Entomology. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 202–. ISBN 978-1-4443-1767-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=S7yGZasJ7nEC&pg=PA202.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Silverfish and Firebrats / Home and Landscape / UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM)" (in en). https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/silverfish-and-firebrats/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Adams, J.A. (1933-12-01). "BIOLOGICAL NOTES UPON THE FIREBRAT, THERMOBIA DOMESTICA". Journal of the New York Entomological Society 41: 557-562. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/178392.
- ↑ Beament, J.W.L; Noble-Nesbitt, J; Watson, J.A.L (1964-06-01). "The Waterproofing Mechanism of Arthropods: III. Cuticular Permeability in the Firebrat, Thermobia Domestica (Packard)". Journal of Experimental Biology 41 (2). https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article-abstract/41/2/323/21008/The-Waterproofing-Mechanism-of-ArthropodsIII.
- ↑ Tremblay, M.N.; Gries, G (2003). "Pheromone-based aggregation behaviour of the firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Packard) (Thysanura: Lepismatidae)". Chemoecology 13: 21–26. doi:10.1007/s000490300002.
- ↑ Woodbury, Nathan; Gries, Gerhard (2013). "Firebrats, Thermobia domestica, aggregate in response to the microbes Enterobacter cloacae and Mycotypha microspora" (in en). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 147 (2): 154–159. doi:10.1111/eea.12054. ISSN 1570-7458. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eea.12054.
- ↑ Tworzydlo, W.; Marek, M.; Kisiel, E.; Bilinski, S.M. (2017). "Meiosis, Balbiani body and early asymmetry of Thermobia oocyte". Protoplasma 254 (2): 649–655. doi:10.1007/s00709-016-0978-7. PMID 27180195.
- "Thermobia domestica - The Firebrat". University of Wisconsin System. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio210/s2012/kaun_jaso/index.htm.
- Ebeling, Walter (1975). Urban Entomology. University of California. http://www.entomology.ucr.edu/ebeling/ebeling8.html#silverfish.
- Wygodzinsky, Pedro (1972). "A Review of the Silverfish (Lepismatidae, Thysanura) of the United States and the Caribbean Area". American Museum Novitates (American Museum of Natural History) (2481). http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/bitstream/handle/2246/2689//v2/dspace/ingest/pdfSource/nov/N2481.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q1069416 entry
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