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Firebrat
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Zygentoma
Family:	Lepismatidae
Genus:	Thermobia
Species:	T. domestica
Binomial name
	Thermobia domestica; (Packard, 1873)
Synonyms
	Lepisma domestica Packard, 1873; Lepismodes inquilinus Newman, 1863; Lepisma furnorum Rovelli, 1884;

The firebrat (Thermobia domestica) is a small insect (typically 1–1.5 cm) in the order Zygentoma.^[1]

Habitat

Firebrats prefer relatively warm temperatures (36–39 °C) and require some humidity.^[2] 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. 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. Otherwise they are mostly harmless.

Behavior

Firebrats utilize pheromones to lead other firebrats to attract one another and congregate. To maintain a group, firebrats must remain in contact with one another.^[3]

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.

Meiosis

The sequential changes occurring during the prophase I stage of meiosis in T. domestica ovaries have been described in detail.^[4]

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.
^ Adam 1933.
^ 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.
^ 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. PMC 5309285. PMID 27180195.

"Thermobia domestica - The Firebrat". BioWeb. University of Wisconsin System.
Adam, J. A. (1933). "Biological Notes Upon the Firebrat, Thermobia domestica Packard". Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 41: 557–562.
Ebeling, Walter (1975). Urban Entomology. University of California.
Rust, M. K.; Millard, M. R. (2009). "Silverfish and Firebrats" (PDF). Pest Notes. Integrated Pest Management Program, University of California, Davis.
Wygodzinsky, Pedro (1972). "A Review of the Silverfish (Lepismatidae, Thysanura) of the United States and the Caribbean Area" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (2481). American Museum of Natural History.