Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus, 1758

Matsunaga, Janis N., Howarth, Francis G. & Kumashiro, Bernarr R., 2019, New State Records and Additions to the Alien Terrestrial Arthropod Fauna in the Hawaiian Islands, Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 51 (1), pp. 1-71 : 15-16

Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus

Establishment uncertain

The blue silverfish or common silverfish has been previously reported in Hawaii, but the earlier records were apparently based on misidentifications of Ctenolepisma longicaudatum (Escherich, 1905) (Zimmerman 1948a; Nishida 2002). L. saccharina is easily distinguished from C. longicaudata in life by its smaller size (body length 5–9 mm), shorter caudal filaments (a little longer than one half abdominal length), uniform dark slate-blue dorsal color, and quicker movements. In C. longicaudata , the body length is 10–13 mm; the caudal filaments are longer than the abdomen; the dorsal scales are silvery gray and often mottled; and its movements are slower and more directed towards cover. Additional diagnostic characters for L. saccharina are smooth macrosetae, caudal tergite slightly longer than wide with a truncate or slightly rounded hind margin, terminal segment of labial palpus large and wider than long, and presence of a group of about three macrosetae near the posterior margin along the midline of each abdominal sternite, which is far removed from the lateral group of ventral macrosetae (Wygodzinsky 1972). A single colony of

this species was found in a container of old cat food, which had been in Hawaii for several years. No further specimens have been found, and the species may not have established.

Collection records: OAHU, Honolulu, Kalihi Valley , 21 ° 20.7‘ N, 157 ° 51.6‘ W, 7.II. 2010, 120 m, ex. container of old dry cat food, in house, coll. F.G. Howarth, 25 specimens, det. F. G. Howarth, 2010.