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COMMON
NAME:
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German
Cockroach Facts
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SCIENTIFIC
NAME:
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Blattella germanica
(Linnaeus)
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CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY:
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Insecta/Blattodea/Blattellidae
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METAMORPHOSIS:
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Simple
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Courtesy
of NPMA
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INTRODUCTION.
The German cockroach is by far the most important and usually the most common of
the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in
outbreaks of illness, the transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms
including at least one parasitic protozoan, and allergic reactions in many
people. This species has worldwide distribution.
RECOGNITION. Adults about 1/2-5/8" (13-16 mm) long. Color light brown to
tan except for 2 dark, almost parallel longitudinal stripes/bars/streaks on
pronotal shield. Female darker than male, her abdomen broader. Rarely glide or
"fly".
Nymphal instars 1-2 with thorax dark brown to black but having pale lateral
margins, meso- and metathorax pale/white centrally but with a continuous dark
stripe near each margin; thorax and abdomen light brown ventrally. Later instars
(3rd on) with 2 dark longitudinal stripes on pronotum continuous with dark
abdomen, and abdominal segments usually with central areas pale on dorsum.
Ootheca or egg capsule yellowish brown but usually two-toned, paler end attached
to female; about 1/4-3/8" (6-9 mm) long, with length more than twice width;
subdivisional furrows extending entire width; slightly bowed or arched; and with
about 15-20 (range 925) eggs on each side.
SIMILAR GROUPS (Adults only). (1) Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) with
almost identical color pattern, attracted to lights, flies readily, breeds
outdoors in leaf litter, presently known only from Florida, identification
should be confirmed by an expert. (2) Brownbanded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
and Pennsylvania wood cockroach (Parcoblatta pensylvanica) lack 2 dark
longitudinal stripes on pronotal shield. (3) Field cockroach (B. vaga) with a
median dark line between eyes on front of head. (4) Other cockroaches are either
smaller or larger, lack characteristic pronotal stripes, and/or are not
associated with structures.
BIOLOGY. The female carries her ootheca until it is within 1-2 days of hatching,
and then deposits it in a sheltered area/site. On the average, the female will
produce about 5 oothecae (range 4-8), averaging 30-40 eggs (range 18-50) each.
Developmental time (egg to adult) usually varies from 54-215 days, averaging
about 103 days; under lab conditions of 80 degrees F/27 degrees C and 40%
relative humidity, usually only 50-60 days are required. This means usually 3 to
4 generations per year, but up to 6. Adults live about 100-200 days (range
1-303). Established/mature German cockroach populations are typically composed
of at least 75% nymphs.
HABITS. German cockroaches are found throughout structures but show a preference
for warm (70 degrees F/21 degrees C) and humid places. They are usually found in
kitchens and secondarily in bathrooms, but infestations often occur in rooms
where people eat and drink while watching television such as the den, bedroom,
etc. Any crack or crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime
harborage, and they spend about 75% of their time in such harborages. First
instar nymphs require a crack of about 1/32" (1 mm) whereas, adults require
a crack of about 3/16" (5 mm) in width. These cockroaches are most commonly
introduced into buildings via paper products or paper packaging such as grocery
bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons, and via secondhand appliances such as
refrigerators, televisions, VCR's, microwaves, etc. They have been observed to
migrate from building to building on warm evenings, but this rarely occurs.
Although uncommon, they can survive outdoors during the warm months.
They feed on almost anything with nutritive value including all kinds of food,
and such things as soap, glue, and toothpaste.
Activity periods vary with life stage, age, and physiological state. For
instance, reproducing females are quite active whereas, gravid (with ootheca)
females are relatively inactive starting about the 5th day after mating and go
only to food and water when necessary. Males spend most of their time in
harborage, even at night. All nymphs become immobile and stay in harborage
during the last 3 days of each instar while they prepare to molt. Hence, about
1/3 of the time the cockroach nymphs will not be found or found exposed during
an inspection.
CONTROL. Apply standard control procedures but more frequent service may be
required because of their rapid reproductive rate. At least 95% of the
population must be eliminated on the initial or clean-out service, or the
typical maintenance program will usually fail...... ECOPCO
PRODUCTS will work on roach clean outs. However, baits
are particularly effective, but correct placement along junctions
and/or in cracks and crevices in or near harborages is essential. Be sure to
follow label directions. |
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