Field Notes: Firebrats (Patreon)

For her upcoming episode about firebrats, coordinating producer Gabriela Quirós collaborated with entomologist Art Appel of Auburn University, Alabama. Several firebrats took a trip across the country from his colony to Deep Look lead producer and cinematographer Josh Cassidy's apartment in San Francisco.

Filmmaking isn't always a glamorous process –– particularly during a pandemic –– when social distancing protocols are followed to keep the production team safe. While his bathroom isn't the most exotic location that Josh has ever filmed in (that's him in the mirror taking a photo of his set!), it is a fairly common place to spot firebrats. It's not that these insects live in your drain. If they happen to crawl into your sink or bathtub, they're just not able to climb out again.

Photo credit: Josh Cassidy/KQED

If you turn on the light in your bathroom at night, you may have spotted this bizarre fish-shaped insect running around in your sink. With three long filaments poking out their back, no wings, and offspring that come out of the egg looking just like tiny adults, firebrats and silverfish have something to teach us about what it means to be an insect.

You'll learn more about them in our next Deep Look episode which premieres next Tuesday, February 23, but Patreon supporters will get a sneak peek this Friday!