UF/IFAS Cockroach Photographs CD-ROM

with UF/IFAS Cockroach Photographs CD-ROM

American cockroach, Periplaneta americana
(Blattodea: Blattidae)

This cockroach species measures about 1 3/8 to 2 1/8 inches (34-54 mm) long as an adult. It is reddish-brown with light markings behind the head on the pronotum. Both sexes are almost identical in appearance, but in the male the abdomen is slightly narrower. The wings of the adult male typically extend beyond the abdomen, while those of the female do not. The male American cockroach has two short stylets to the inside of the cerci. The cerci are the larger of the paired structures at the tip of the abdomen. Females, unlike the males, lack stylets on the tip of the abdomen. The flat structures on the end of the female abdomen are used to hold the developing egg case (ootheca). Both sexes are poor to average fliers. The American cockroach resembles and is often confused with the brown cockroach.

The egg case (ootheca) contains 14 to 16 eggs and a female will produce nine to ten such cases during her lifetime. Nymphs molt 10 to 13 times and an individual may live well over a year.

This cockroach is originally from Africa and is worldwide in distribution. It is commonly found in sewers, food preparation areas and basements. They are more common in commercial buildings than in residences. This American cockroach is often called a "palmetto bug."

Images

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Adult male American cockroach, Periplaneta americana.
(Photographer: P.G. Koehler, University of Florida)
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Adult male American cockroach, Periplaneta americana,
cerci and stylets (ventral view).
(Photographer: P.G. Koehler, University of Florida)
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Adult female American cockroach, Periplaneta americana,
(dorsal view).
(Photographer: P.G. Koehler, University of Florida)
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Adult female American cockroach, Periplaneta americana,
(ventral view).
(Photographer: P.G. Koehler, University of Florida)
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American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, life cycle
- ootheca (left) with first, second, third and fourth instar
nymphs.
(Photographer: P.M. Choate, University of Florida)
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Newly molted adult American cockroach, Periplaneta
americana.
(Photographer: J.L. Castner, University of Florida)
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American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, ootheca (egg
case).
(Photographer: R. Martyniak, University of Florida)
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Middle (mesothoraic) leg of an adult American cockroach,
Periplaneta americana.
(Photographer: P.G. Koehler , University of Florida)
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American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, and their
fecal smears.
(Photographer: L.J. Buss, University of Florida)
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