Cockcroaches

General Biology

1. Cockroaches are active at night.
2. Their body is flattened. 
3. They have two pairs of wings folded flat over their body. 
4. Most species seldom fly but they walk really fast. 
5. Their color usually varies from light brown to black. 
6. The species vary from 2 – 80 mm in length.
7. Prefer to have their back touch on a surface while foraging or rest.

Common cockroach species:

• American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana
  
  
  1. 35 – 40 mm
  2. Shiny reddish to chocolate brown. 
  3. Sewer tanks, drainage area
  4. The egg case measures 8–10mm in length and contains 16 eggs.
     
     
• German cockroach, Blatella germanica

1. 10 – 15 mm 
2. Smallest domestic cockroach in the world
3. Light yellowish brown
4. The female carries the egg case before it hatched. 
5. The egg case is light in color which about 7–9mm in length and contains about 40 eggs

• Brown banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa

1. 10 – 14mm
2. Yellow & brown bands across the body
3. The egg case is 4–5mm in length and contains about 16 eggs. 

Life Cycle

• Undergo incomplete metamorphosis
• Egg -> Nymph -> Adult