2/4/2023: Huge success with Utah silverfish

On record, I’ve stated that my second favorite group of insects are the silverfish (order Zygentoma), and I need to stand by my statement lest I be harassed by certain record keepers.

Despite being household nuisances, many domestic silverfish have proven difficult to propagate long-term. Arid-adapted species have been the easiest to continually culture, perhaps because the more moisture-loving species prefer a complex mixture of humid conditions that can be difficult to maintain in captive environments.

However, adding to the growing list of successes is one that I’m particularly proud of: getting a thriving colony going of an actually silver species of silver fish!

Collected under rocks in a park in Hurricane, Utah, this may be an Allacrotelsa species based on vague similarity. Regardless of the identification, this is a good size and easy to keep species that likes heat (as do many Zygentoma) and isn’t a picky eater.

-Kyle