Robert Cowan, age 10, of Chula Vista, Calif., for his question:

WHAT DOES A SILVER FISH EAT?

A silver fish is a small silver colored insect with no wings. Sometimes it is called a silver fish moth.

The silver fish is one of the most primitive of all insects. It is also one of our most pesky household pests.

A silver fish will eat anything that has starch in it. It is especially fond of eating paste or glue. In a home, the insect often causes great damage to books and wallpaper.

Two long feelers can be found at the front of a silver fish and three long appendages are located at the tail end.

Silver fish can be controlled by dusting with pyrethrum powder.