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Identify Common
Roaches
- It
helps to know what to look for -
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Summary:
Cockroaches develop from eggs that are protected
inside very distinctive egg cases while
immature cockroach nymphs resemble adults but lack
wings. The adults of the important pest species of peridomestic*
cockroaches differ in both size and color pattern
and are fairly easy to recognize.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext.
Entomologist (ret.)
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There are many species of cockroaches
but only a few are commonly found in association
with dwellings and these are called the peridomestic*
species. Since your control options can vary
depending on which cockroach species is present,
correct identification can be important and is not
difficult (see How
To Control Cockroach Infestations).
Cockroach identification can
sometimes be made on the basis of egg cases alone.
In some pest species like the German cockroach
the females carry the egg cases around until just
before hatch, but other species, like the brownbanded
cockroach, drop their egg cases (right) where
they can be found during inspections.
*peridomestic = associated with
human dwellings
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two cockroach egg cases,
(egg capsules or "ootheca") from brownbanded
cockroach; roughly 3/16" long (somewhat
smaller than egg cases of the German
cockroach); each case contains numerous eggs
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Cockroach egg cases
Cockroach eggs are normally tucked
safely away inside an egg case, or "ootheca"
(above). Each egg case contains many eggs
lined up in rows. The egg cases are so distinctive in
shape and size that they can often be used to
determine the extent and identity of an infestation.
Eggs hatch in a few weeks and egg cases break open
releasing the young nymphs. Cockroach nymphs look like
a small version of the adults except they lack wing
development (see image of nymph below).
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Common peridomestic roaches
German cockroach (Blattella
germanica)
The German cockroach [click for picture] is relatively
small, about 1/2"-5/8" (16 mm) long, brown in
color with two dark stripes behind the head.
The German cockroach is found worldwide in
association with human dwellings.This species may be
the one most frequently found infesting homes,
apartments, restaurants, and any other place
where food is handled.
Brownbanded
cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
The brownbanded cockroach is relatively
small like the German cockroach (less than
5/8" long) but lacks the stripes behind the head
and is more oval (wider) in shape when viewed from
above.
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German
cockroach nymph (notice the lack of
wings which identifies this insect as a
nymph).
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American cockroach (Periplaneta
americana)
The American cockroach [click for picture] is considerably
larger than the German or brownbanded
cockroaches at about 1-1/2" (38 mm) long. This
cockroach is light reddish brown, or amber in
color. Both German and American cockroaches can
be found together in the same structure.
Smokybrown cockroach (Periplaneta
fuliginosa)
The smokybrown cockroach [click for picture] is closely
related to the American roach and also relatively large
at about 1-1/2" (38 mm) long. This cockroach is dark
brown in color. The smokybrown cockroach is
especially common in warm and humid climates such as
the southern US.
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New
baits are highly effective for control of cockroaches in
apartment buildings and other multi-family dwellings.
Baits are available at the 'Bugs
Store
powered by Amazon.
Pest
Control Reference Books - Cockroach control can
be complex especially in multi-family dwellings or
commercial buildings. If you are responsible for
cockroach control in a commercial setting (apartment,
restaurant, office building, college dorm, etc.) these
reference books may be useful.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
unbiased information for solving common insect and
mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD,
 , email:
[email protected]
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statements as well.
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