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 ROACHES
Orthoptera
Blattidae
Types: German, Palmetto, Oriental, American,
Smokey Brown
Name
applied to approximately 3,500 species of flat-bodied, oval insects forming
the suborder Blattaria of the order Orthoptera. Cockroaches have long
antennae, long legs adapted to running, and a flat extension of the upper body
wall that conceals the head. They range from 14 in. to 3 in. (.6-7.6 cm) in
length. Some cockroaches have two pairs of well-developed wings, the front
pair covering the hind pair when at rest; others have reduced wings or none at
all. In some species only the wings of the female are reduced or absent. Many
species are able to fly well, although the familiar household species do not
fly. Most cockroaches are shiny brown or black, but bright yellows, reds, and
greens occur in some tropical species. Cockroaches are night-active insects
and most live in damp places; most are omnivorous scavengers. They are
worldwide in distribution but are most numerous in the tropics. Most species
live in the wild in their native regions, e.g., the wood cockroaches, species
of the genus Parcoblatta, found under forest litter in the NE United States. A
few tropical and subtropical species that have been introduced into the
temperate zone have become residents in human homes, where they multiply
rapidly and are serious pests. They invade food supplies and emit
foul-smelling glandular secretions. Their shape enables them to use tiny
cracks as hiding places. They are popularly believed to be carriers of human
diseases, although this has not been proved. The large, dark Oriental
cockroach, Blatta orientalis, is a cosmopolitan household species. The smaller
German cockroach, or Croton bug, Blattella germanica, native to Europe, is the
common urban cockroach of the NE United States. The American cockroach,
Periplanata americana, is a large light-reddish species that invades houses in
the S United States. Cockroaches reproduce sexually. Their eggs are encased in
capsules called oothecae, which in some species remain attached to the abdomen
of the female until the eggs hatch. In a few species the ootheca is retained
within the body of the female and the young are born live. Young resemble the
adults except in size. The group as a whole is extremely old; fossil evidence
indicates its extreme abundance during the Carboniferous period, about 350
million years ago. These ancient cockroaches were able to fly and were
probably the first flying animals. Cockroaches are classified in five families
of the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Orthoptera, suborder Blattaria.
GERMAN
COCKROACHES are about
1/2" to 5/8” long as an adult. Nymphs and adults have two black stripes
behind the head. Females can reproduce without males. Cockroaches are
aggressive foragers that contaminate, devour, and destroy food. They can cause
or aggravate asthma, especially in children. Cockroaches seldom if ever live
outdoors in the Northwest. They are usually stowaways, carried indoors through
both edible and non-edible purchases. Be sure to remove bulk packaging as soon
as possible. Keep areas free of food debris and water sources.
253-226-2206
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