THE BUGYMAN EXTERMINATORS

Brown Banded Cockroach

Order: dictyoptera Genus: Supella Species: longipalpis

Appearance:

This is one of the smaller cockroaches, rarely being more than ½ inch long. It is light brown and can be readily distinguished from the German cockroach by the presence of two lighter, transverse bands running from one side to the other across the base of the wings and abdomen in adults, and in the same position on the nymphs. These bands may be somewhat irregular or broken and are more apparent on the young and the females than on the males. The female has a broader body than the male.

Habitat:

They frequently occur in the same buildings as the German cockroach, but do not require as close an association with moisture sources as the German cockroach. Nymphs and adults are generally found on ceilings, high on walls, behind picture frames and light fixtures, or near motors of refrigerators and other appliances. The are also found in light switches, closets and furniture. These cockroaches are more often found in homes, apartments, hotels and hospital rooms than in stores, restaurants and kitchens.

Food:

The brown-banded cockroach prefers feeding on starchy materials. However, they can be found feeding on almost anything, and have been known to chew on such non-food materials as nylon stockings (presumably for the residues of body oils and skin flakes).

Life Cycle:

The brown Banded cockroach adults and young nymphs in all stages of growth have similar appearances, which is referred to as a gradual metamorphosis. A female brown-banded cockroach carries her egg capsule for a day or two, and then attaches it to a protected surface. The egg case is purse-shaped, light brown in color and is cemented in place, usually to the side or under surfaces of infested objects. Females will produce about 14 egg capsules during their adult life, each containing about 18 eggs. These hatch in 50-75 days, depending on temperature. Under room conditions, nymphs mature in about 160 days and may live as adults for up to 10 months.

General Information:

Both male and female are quite active and the adult males fly readily when disturbed. Both adults and nymphs my jump when attempting to escape.

Brown-Banded cockroach Management: