What is a Cockroach?

May 19th, 2010

The word cockroach is taken from the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is characterized by a flat oval body, long stringlike antennae, and a glossy black or brown leathery integument. The head is aimed downward, and the mouthparts aim to the rear instead of forward or downward as is the case of almost all other insects. The male often has two pairs of wings, while the female, who in some species, is wingless or appears with vestigial wings. The female creates eggs in egg cases (labeled oothecae). These are occasionally held coming from her body or may be adhered in protected locations. After the female generates an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton solidifies, it turns brown in shade. The structure and huge size (particular species demonstrate a wing spread measurement of higher than 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have turned them into a keen study in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach likes a warm, humid, dark living and is often found in tropical and other mild temperatures. Only a small number of species have become pests. The insect damages more material than it eats and has a yucky scent. The food of the roach, which can be both plant and animal products, can be from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, including bedbugs. Insecticides are preferred in roach removal.

The American cockroach (species Periplaneta americana) is 30 to 50 mm long (up to about 2 inches), reddish brown, and lives in an outdoor habitat or in dark, heated indoor areas (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). During adult life, lasting about 1.5 years, the female creates 50 or more oothecae, each holding usually 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life goes from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, originally from tropical and subtropical America, has well-developed wings. However, the majority of species are often not gifted at flying.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common pest in households and occasionally incorrectly labeled a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic area. The female creates the ootheca three days post mating and carries it for generally about 20 days. Because it is small in size (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach frequently is introduced into homes in grocery bags and boxes; it has been spread throughout the world by boat. Three or more generations might live yearly. This cockroach, found abundantly through the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, is commonly labeled the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) is like the German cockroach but is slightly smaller. The male has fully developed wings and is brighter in colour than the female, whose wings are short and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands along the back. The adult life span is about 200 days, and there can be two generations in a year. Eggs may be left in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the innovation of heated buildings this cockroach became more common in cooler temperatures.

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is held as one of the filthiest of household pests. It is oval, shiny black or dark brown, 25 to 30 mm (1 to 1.2 inches) long, with a life cycle similar to that of the American cockroach. The male possesses short, fully developed wings, but the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been taken by vehicles of trade from its Asiatic origins to all the temperate regions.

Wood roaches are non-domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, may be found below logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so varied in appearance that they were first believed to be unique species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that expand beyond the abdomen; the female is smaller and possesses much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus consumes wood with the aid of certain protozoans in its digestive tract.

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