1. Cockroach

What kingdom do cockroaches belong to?

Animalia

What phylum do cockroaches belong to?

Arthropoda.

What class do cockroaches belong to?

Insecta.

What order do cockroaches belong to?

Blattodea.

What type of metamorphosis do cockroaches have?

Cockroaches have incomplete or gradual metamorphosis.

What is the life cycle of a cockroach?

Egg case → nymph → adult.

What is a cockroach egg case called?

An ootheca.

Do cockroaches have a larval stage?

No. Cockroaches have nymphs, not larvae.

Do cockroaches have a pupal stage?

No. Cockroaches do not have a pupal stage.

What is a cockroach nymph?

A nymph is an immature cockroach. It looks like a smaller version of the adult but usually does not have fully developed wings or reproductive organs.

What is an instar in cockroach development?

An instar is a growth stage between moults.

Why is the ootheca important in cockroach control?

The ootheca contains eggs, and some eggs may hatch after treatment. This is one reason follow-up may be needed.

Why are cockroaches successful urban pests?

Cockroaches are successful because they hide well, eat many foods, use cracks and crevices, and take advantage of the warmth, food, water and shelter provided by human buildings.

What does it mean that cockroaches are scavengers?

It means they feed on dead, decaying or available food materials.

What body shape helps cockroaches hide in cracks and crevices?

cockroaches have a flattened body, which helps them squeeze into tight cracks and crevices.

What is the pronotum on a cockroach?

The pronotum is the shield-like plate behind the head.

Why is the pronotum useful for cockroach identification?

The pronotum is useful because some cockroach species have important markings there. For example, German cockroaches have two dark stripes, while American cockroaches have a pale yellow border.

What type of antennae do cockroaches have?

Cockroaches have long, thread-like antennae.

What type of mouthparts do cockroaches have?

Cockroaches have chewing mouthparts.

What are cockroach legs adapted for?

Cockroach legs are adapted for crawling, running and moving quickly through cracks, crevices and surfaces.

What are cerci on a cockroach?

Cerci are sensory appendages at the end of the abdomen.

Why are cerci useful to cockroaches?

Cerci help cockroaches detect air movement and vibration, which helps them escape quickly.

Do all pest cockroaches fly well?

No. Some cockroaches can fly or glide, some have reduced wings, and some have wings but do not properly fly.

Why does the flat body shape of cockroaches matter for treatment?

Because cockroaches can hide deep in cracks and crevices, spraying open areas may miss the main population.

What does nocturnal mean for cockroaches?

Nocturnal means cockroaches are mostly active at night.

Why does nocturnal behaviour make cockroach infestations harder to judge?

Because most cockroaches hide during the day, customers may only see a small part of the real population.

What can it mean if cockroaches are seen during the day?

26. Daytime activity can suggest:

• A large infestation

• Overcrowded harbourages

• Disturbance from cleaning or treatment

• Food or water shortage

What does thigmotactic mean for cockroaches?

Thigmotactic means cockroaches like tight spaces where their body touches surfaces around them.

Why does thigmotactic behaviour matter for treatment?

It means treatment must target cracks, crevices, voids and harbourages. Spraying open floors usually misses the main population.

what is the term used for cockroaches like hiding in tight spaces

thigmotactic

What does gregarious mean for cockroaches?

Gregarious means cockroaches often group together.

Why does gregarious behaviour matter in cockroach control?

Because one good harbourage can contain many cockroaches. Finding the main harbourage can be more important than treating random areas.

Why does cockroach grooming matter for dust treatments?

Cockroaches may walk through dust and then ingest it later while grooming. This is why dusts can be useful in dry cracks and voids

What does omnivorous mean for cockroaches?

Omnivorous means cockroaches can eat both plant and animal-based materials.

What types of material can cockroaches feed on?

Cockroaches can feed on crumbs, grease, food scraps, starch, paper products, cardboard glue, dead insects and decaying organic matter.

Why should a pest controller “think like a cockroach”?

A pest controller needs to work out where the cockroach hides, feeds, gets water, breeds and travels. That is how you find the real source of the infestation.

Why are cockroaches considered pests?

Cockroaches are pests because they contaminate food and surfaces, create hygiene risks, trigger allergies or asthma, produce odour, cause fear and disgust, and damage reputation in food businesses.

How can cockroaches contaminate food areas?

They can contaminate areas with:

• Droppings

• Cast skins

• Dead bodies

• Egg cases

• Regurgitation marks

• Body secretions

• Odours

• Microorganisms

Why are cockroaches a hygiene risk?

Cockroaches are a hygiene risk because they can move between dirty areas and clean food-handling surfaces.

What dirty areas can cockroaches move through before entering food areas?

Cockroaches may move through drains, sewers, grease traps, garbage areas, subfloors, animal waste and food waste.

What clean areas can cockroaches contaminate?

Cockroaches can contaminate benches, utensils, food packaging, food-preparation surfaces, stored food and kitchen equipment.

What is a safe professional way to explain cockroach disease risk to customers?

Cockroaches are a hygiene risk because they can move between contaminated areas and food-handling surfaces.”

Where can cockroach allergens come from?

Cockroach allergens can come from droppings, cast skins, body fragments, dried faeces and cockroach-contaminated dust.

Why do cockroach allergens matter?

Cockroach allergens may contribute to allergies and asthma problems in sensitive people, especially in heavy infestations.

What can a strong cockroach odour indicate?

A strong cockroach odour can indicate a heavy or long-term infestation with contaminated harbourages.

Why are cockroaches especially serious in food businesses?

Cockroaches are serious in food businesses because they can contaminate food areas, cause customer complaints and damage the business’s reputation.

What are the six main pest cockroach species covered in pest control?

• German cockroach

• American cockroach

• Smokybrown cockroach

• Australian cockroach

• Brownbanded cockroach

• Oriental cockroach

What is the scientific name of the German cockroach?

Blattella germanica.

German Cockroach

German Cockroach

German Cockroach

German Cockroach Nymph

German Cockroach Nymph

German Cockroach Nymph

German Cockroach egg → Nymph → Adult

What is the scientific name of the American cockroach?

Periplaneta americana.

American cockroach

American cockroach

American cockroach

American cockroach

American cockroach nymph

American cockroach nymph

American cockroach nymph

What is the scientific name of the smokybrown cockroach?

Periplaneta fuliginosa.

smokybrown cockroach

smokybrown cockroach

smokybrown cockroach

smokybrown cockroach

smokybrown cockroach nymph

smokybrown cockroach nymph

What is the scientific name of the Australian cockroach?

Periplaneta australasiae.

Australian cockroach

Australian cockroach

Australian cockroach

Australian cockroach

Australian cockroach nymph

Australian cockroach nymph

What is the scientific name of the brownbanded cockroach?

Supella longipalpa.

brownbanded cockroach

brownbanded cockroach

brownbanded cockroach

brownbanded cockroach

brownbanded cockroach

brownbanded cockroach life stages

brownbanded cockroach adult vs nymph

What is the scientific name of the oriental cockroach?

Blatta orientalis.

oriental cockroach

oriental cockroach

oriental cockroach

oriental cockroach

oriental cockroach

oriental cockroach nymph

cockroach ootheca

cockroach ootheca

cockroach ootheca

cockroach ootheca

cockroach ootheca

Which cockroach is the small indoor kitchen pest?

The German cockroach.

Which cockroach is the large sewer, drain and subfloor pest?

The American cockroach.

Which cockroach is a large, dark outdoor cockroach often found around gardens and roof voids?

The smokybrown cockroach.