THE BUGYMAN EXTERMINATORS

German Cockroach

Order: dictyoptera Genis: Blattella Species: germanica

Appearance:

Adults are pale to medium brown and about 1 /2 to 5/8 inch long. German cockroaches can be distinguished from other roaches by the two dark stripes a shield like covering over there head called a pronotum. Young German cockroaches (nymphs) resemble the adults except that they are smaller, wingless, and darker in color, often being nearly black. A single light stripe running down the middle of the back is the most prominent marking on the young cockroach.
The female carries her egg capsule protruding from the rear of her abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. Females which are carrying egg capsules (ootheca) are called "gravid."

Habitat:

Anywhere that humans dwell.

Food:

The German cockroach is a general feeder, but is particularly attracted to fermented foods and beverage residues. If water is present, adults can live about a month without food, but young nymphs will die of starvation within 10 days. Without food or water, the adults die in less than two weeks.

Life Cycle:

Gradual metamorphoses. Adult females will usually produce from 4-8 egg capsules in their lifetime. Each capsule contains 30-48 eggs. It usually takes 28 days from the time of initial formation of the egg capsule until it hatches. There are 6 or 7 growth stages, called instars, before they molt into the adult stage. Completion of the nymphal stage under room conditions requires 40-125 days, depending on environmental conditions and other factors such as favorable diet. Adult German cockroaches can live up to one year, but most will die from various causes long before that time.

General Information:

The German cockroach is the only common house infesting species which carries the egg capsule for such an extended period. Capsules removed from the female more than a couple of days before the normal hatching time are unlikely to hatch unless they remain under conditions of very high humidity. The embryos in the egg capsule require a reasonably steady flow of water, usually from the adult female, to prevent death from desiccation or drying out.