Nutrition
Thermobia domestica historically came from the dry
litter community, living outdoors and feeding upon leaf litter
and dead vegetation. However, after
adapting
themselves to living indoors, their diet has changed. In
fact, the firebrat's preference for starches and carbohydrates
may have helped give it its nickname. (Ordish 1960) This insect is
likely found around bakery ovens, stoves, and other warm
situations where starchy or sugary foodstuffs might be found.
They are known to come out from their warm hiding places at night
to feed on kitchen scraps that may have been left behind from
human activities. (Lanham 1964)
They prefer protein, such as insect
carcasses, to starch, the starchy substances indoors tend to be
readily consumed by firebrats. They will feed on the
binding of books, the glue of wallpaper, clothes, and other
items where starch sizing may be found. These feeding
habits in particular are one of the main reasons firebrats are
considered pests. Their damage to books,
wallpaper, and the like can be extensive, causing many small
holes from their chewing or their feces. The silverfish, firebrat's caustic cousin, is know to cause more damage in the
household, however. (Ordish 1960)
Water uptake and retention is important in all insects due to their exoskeleton, and they exhibit a waxy cuticle to aid in osmoregulation. (Hickman et al. 2009) In Thermobia domestica water is taken up by cutaneous pores in the exoskeleton, or through the anus. Interestingly, these insects cease water uptake during the late stages of molting. (Davies 1988)
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