THE BUGYMAN EXTERMINATORS

American Cockroach

Order dictyoptera Genus periplaneta Species americana

Appearance:

Up to 1 ½ to 2 inches in length. It is reddish-brown, with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both the male and female are fully winged. The wings of the male extend slightly beyond the tip of the abdomen, while those of the female are about the same length as the abdomen. Young nymphs are grayish-brown. After the first few molts, nymphs become more reddish brown in color. The time required to complete the nymphal stage varies from 160-971 days.

Habitat:

When indoors, the nymphs and adults are usually found in dark, moist areas of basements and crawl spaces as well as in and around bathtubs, clothes hampers, floor drains, pipe chases and sewers. In basements they are usually found in corner areas high on the walls. The American cockroach is also common around the manholes of sewers, and on the underside of metal covers of large sump pumps in boiler rooms. In the south, this roach is abundant outdoors in alleyways, yards, hollow trees and palm trees. They especially prefer moist, shady areas of ground cover, which are often found around foundations and near swimming pools. The presence of automatic sprinkler systems for irrigating these areas of turf and ground cover will provide particularly attractive and favorable living conditions for cockroach populations. When conditions are unfavorable, American cockroaches and other outdoor species may move indoors.

Food:

American cockroaches feed on a variety of foods, but decaying organic matter seems to be preferred. They also feed upon book bindings, manuscripts, clothing and glossy paper with starch sizing. Syrup and other sweets are also attractive. The adults can survive two or three months without food, but only about a month without water.

Life Cycle:

The American cockroach adults and young nymphs in all stages of growth have similar appearances, which is referred to as a gradual metamorphosis. The female will drop her egg capsule within a day after it is formed. Egg capsules are formed at the rate of about one per week until from 15 to 90 capsules have been produced. At room temperature, nymphs will hatch out in 40 to 55 days. Young nymphs will molt 0 to 13 times before reaching maturity.

General Information:

The American cockroach is also known as the water bug, flying water bug and, in some areas of the South, the palmetto bug. The adults have well developed wings, but seldom fly. They are capable of gliding long distances and will cover onsiderable distances if they take off from a tree or roof top. In the South, and as far north as Kentucky, American cockroaches have been reported to fly short distances.
American cockroach Management: (Shane, link to service program 2)

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Last modified: January 14, 1998