Silverfish, Lepisma saccharina
The common name of this small, wingless insect derives from its silvery colour and its fish-like movements. They were once more common in houses when homes were less well sealed, cooler, damper and when we tolerated insects in our homes. They are still to be found but will only live in cooler and damper parts of the house where they will feed on starchy materials like kitchen crumbs. They used to feed on the newspaper that was often found between the floor boards and the linoleum and wallpaper before toxins in the paste took their toll.
