Firebrat vs Petaltail Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Firebrat Petaltail Dragonfly
Scientific Name Thermobia domestica Tachopteryx thoreyi
Order Blattodea Odonata
Family Lepismatidae Petaluridae
Size 10-15 mm 70-80 mm
Habitat Indoors Indoors
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Worldwide North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Firebrat

A heat-loving relative of the silverfish that thrives at temperatures of 37-39C. Found near furnaces, boilers, and bakeries. One of the most thermophilic household insects.

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Did You Know?

Firebrats seek out the hottest spots in buildings — they have been found living happily inside commercial bread ovens and next to industrial furnaces at nearly 40C.

Petaltail Dragonfly

A primitive dragonfly that perches on tree trunks and has bog-dwelling larvae.

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Did You Know?

It belongs to one of the most ancient dragonfly families, largely unchanged for 150 million years.