Brown cockroach, Periplaneta brunnea
(Blattodea: Blattidae)

This cockroach species is almost identical to the American cockroach in appearance and is about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches (33-38 mm) long as an adult. It is reddish-brown in color. The cerci at the tip of the abdomen are stubby, whereas the American cockroach has long, thin cerci. Adults of both sexes have wings but they are used more for gliding rather than flying.

Females can produce up to 32 egg cases (ootheca) in a lifetime, each of which may contain an average of 24 eggs. Brown cockroach nymphs have abdominal markings which are dark brown edged by light brown marks. The top of the thorax is light brown in color. Developmental time from egg to adult ranges from 224 to 340 days. Adults live an average of 240 days.

The brown cockroach prefers hot and humid areas and is typically found outdoors. Indoors, it is found in the same areas as the American cockroach. It readily enters houses and is often called a "palmetto bug." While probably of Asian origin, this species is widely distributed in tropical areas, including the southern United States westward to Texas. However, sightings have been documented further north as well.

Images

To save the Web-optimized images shown below to your hard drive:

PC users: right click to "Save Picture (or Image) As..."
Mac users: click and drag to your desktop.


Adult brown cockroach, Periplaneta brunnea.
(Photographer: R.W. Baldwin, University of Florida)

Click to access Display and Print quality images.


Brown cockroach, Periplaneta brunnea, nymph.
(Photographer: R.W. Baldwin, University of Florida)

Click to access Display and Print quality images.


Brown cockroach, Periplaneta brunnea, ootheca (egg case).
(Photographer: R. Martyniak, University of Florida)

Click to access Display and Print quality images.



Return to Index


Copyright © 2005 University of Florida