Ctenolepisma lineatum

Ctenolepisma lineata
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Zygentoma
Family:	Lepismatidae
Genus:	Ctenolepisma
Species:	C. lineata
Binomial name
Ctenolepisma lineata Fabricius, 1775
Synonyms
Lepisma vittata Fabricius, 1798 Lepisma subvittata Guérin, 1838 Lepisma annuliseta Lucas, 1840 Lepisma parisiensis Nicolet, 1847 Lepisma quadriseriata Packard, 1873 Lepisma reticulata Schött, 1897

Ctenolepisma lineata is a primitive insect of the order Zygentoma. It is generally similar to the closely related silverfish but can be distinguished by being rather stouter and less shiny with all appendages (antennae and 3 "tails") noticeably longer. The abdomen is often marked with dark brown lines and the species is sometimes called four-lined silverfish.

This species is native to southern Europe but is now found throughout most of the world as an accidental introduction although it is absent from polar and cooler temperate regions (e.g. the British Isles). It is found both indoors and outdoors and can be a nuisance pest.

Recent studies on this species in Europe suggest that there is enough geographical variation to justify splitting into several species, with one form already having been given specific status as Ctenolepisma almeriensis from south-eastern Spain.

Lepisma pilifera Lucas, 1840, which was considered a synonym of C. lineata, is now treated as a synonym of Thermobia aegyptiaca (Lucas, 1840).

References

• Chinery, Michael (1991) [1986]. Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe. ISBN 0-00-219170-9.
• Fauna Europaea
• Picture