3. Cockroaches

What is the classification for cockroaches

Animalia

Arthropoda

Insecta

Blattodea

Name the 6 Major Cockroach species (common Name)

1. German Cockroach

2. American Cockroach

3. Australian Cockroach

4. Smokey Brown Cockroach

5. Brownbanded Cockroach

6. Oriental Cockroach

Name the 6 Major Cockroach species (Scientific Name Name)

1. German cockroach — Blattella germanica

2. American cockroach — Periplaneta americana

3. Australian cockroach — Periplaneta australasiae

4. Smokybrown cockroach — Periplaneta fuliginosa

5. Brown-banded cockroach — Supella longipalpa

6. Oriental cockroach — Blatta orientalis

Scientific name for German cockroach

Blattella germanica

Scientific name for American cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Scientific name for Australian cockroach

Periplaneta australasiae

Scientific name for Smokybrown cockroach

Periplaneta fuliginosa

Scientific name for Brown-banded cockroach

Supella longipalpa

Scientific name for Oriental cockroach

Blatta orientalis

Which common pest cockroaches are most closely related

American, Australian and smokybrown cockroaches because they all belong to the genus Periplaneta.

What is the pronotum in a cockroach?

The pronotum is the hard, shield-like plate on the first part of the thorax, directly behind the head.

In cockroaches, it often extends over part of the head when viewed from above and its colour/markings can help identify the species.

What is the general identification of cockroaches (6 things)

1. Flattened oval body shape (surf board shape)

2. Long Antennae

3. Pronotum

4. Chewing Mouth Parts

5. Spiny Running legs

6. Cerci

What general body shape do cockroaches have

Flattened oval shape (Surfboard shape)

What do the cerci do and where are they found

They detect air movement and vibrations and are located on the posterior of the abdomen in cockroaches

What are the forewings of cockroaches?

Tegmina

What are tegmina

Hardened forewings found on insect like cockroaches that protect the kind wings

Are cockroaches antenna normally short or long

Long

What type of metamorphosis do cockroaches undergo

Incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolies)

What is the life cycle of cockrocahes

Egg → Nymph → Adult

How do cockroach nymphs resemble adults?

Nymphs are smaller versions of adults with a similar body shape, diet, harbourages and behaviour.

They differ because they have immature reproductive organs and no fully developed wings.

What is the protective egg case called

Ootheca

What are the main behaviours of cockroaches? (5 points)

• Nocturnal — mainly active at night.

• Thigmotactic — prefer tight spaces with their body touching surfaces.

• Gregarious — tend to gather together in groups.

• Groom frequently — clean their body and antennae.

• Omnivorous scavengers — feed on a wide range of organic material.

What are the general signs of a cockroach infestation? (7 points)

• Live or dead cockroaches

• Droppings

• Oothecae (egg cases)

• Cast skins

• Unpleasant/musty odour

• Nymphs

• Smear marks or faecal spotting in harbourage areas

Why are cockroaches considered pests?
List from most important to least important.

1. Contaminate food and surfaces

2. Spread pathogens by mechanical transmission

3. Cause hygiene and allergen concerns

4. Create nuisance and discomfort

5. Damage the reputation of a business

What conditions favour cockroach infestations? (4 points)

• Food

• Water

• Warmth

• Shelter/harbourage

How do cockroaches spread through buildings? (4 points)

• Cracks and gaps

• Pipes and service penetrations

• Wall voids

• Boxes/appliances/products brought inside

General cockroach control principles (4 simple steps)

• Inspect and identify

• Remove food/water/harbourage

• Use baits/residuals/dusts where appropriate

• Monitor and follow up

What do food residue, food waste, decaying organic matter, decaying plant matter, grease, starch and glue/paste mean?

• Food residue — small amounts of food left behind, such as crumbs, spills and traces on surfaces.

• Food waste — larger discarded food, such as scraps, leftovers and rubbish-bin contents.

• Decaying organic matter — decomposing material from plants or animals.

• Decaying plant matter — decomposing leaves, bark, wood, mulch and other plant material.

• Grease — fats and oily food residues.

• Starch — carbohydrate-rich foods/materials such as bread, flour, cereals and some paper products.

• Glue/paste — adhesive materials, including those in cardboard, labels and book bindings.

German Cockroach

Scientific Name

Blattella germanica

Classification breakdown of the German cockroach

Kingdom — Animalia
Phylum — Arthropoda
Class — Insecta
Order — Blattodea
Genus — Blattella
Species — germanica
Scientific name — Blattella germanica

German Cockroach

What is the key identifying feature of the German cockroach?

Two dark longitudinal stripes on the pronotum.

What are the general appearance features of an adult German cockroach?

• Small,

• light brown/tan cockroach,

• about 12–15 mm long,

• with two dark stripes on the pronotum.

German Cockroach

Can German cockroaches Fly?

Usually, no. Adults have fully developed wings, but they rarely fly and usually run instead.

What size is an adult German cockroach?

About 12–15 mm long.

What is important about the German cockroach ootheca?

• The female carries the ootheca (egg case) attached to the end of her abdomen.

• She usually carries it until shortly before the eggs hatch.

• Each ootheca contains about 30–40 eggs.

• This helps protect the eggs and contributes to the German cockroach’s rapid population growth.

Summarise the breeding and life cycle of the German cockroach.

• About ______ oothecae per female

• eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about

• Nymphs become adults in about

• Adults live about

• Total lifespan roughly

• Female carries ootheca until

• About 4–8 oothecae per female

• About 30–40 eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about 3–4 weeks

• Nymphs become adults in about 6–12 weeks

• Adults live about 4–6 months

• Total lifespan roughly 6–10 months

• Female carries ootheca until shortly before hatching

How are German cockroach populations able to build so quickly? (6 points)

• Have about 30–40 eggs per ootheca

• Carry the ootheca until shortly before hatching, protecting the eggs

• Nymphs develop into adults in only about 6–12 weeks

• Live and breed well indoors near food, water and warmth

What is the preferred habitat of the German cockroach?

Warm, moist indoor areas with food, water and tight harbourages.

Commonly associated with kitchens and food-handling areas.

What are the main inspection spots for German cockroaches?

• Kitchen cracks and crevices

• Under and behind fridges, ovens and dishwashers

• Inside cupboards and drawers

• Around sinks and plumbing

• Around food preparation and storage areas

• Behind electrical appliances and equipment

What is the diet of the German Cockroach

Food residue and grease

What is the distinct behaviour of the German cockroach?

Rapid indoor breeder.

It lives and reproduces very successfully inside buildings, allowing populations to increase quickly.

How do German cockroaches spread to new locations?

They usually stay close to their harbourages and do not normally travel long distances outdoors between buildings.

They mainly spread by accidental hitchhiking in:

• Boxes and cartons

• Appliances and equipment

• Bags and belongings

• Transported goods

What are the main signs of a German cockroach infestation?

• Live adults and nymphs, especially around kitchens

• Small dark droppings/faecal spotting

• Oothecae (egg cases)

• Cast skins

• A strong musty/oily odour in heavy infestations

• Large numbers hiding in tight cracks and warm appliance areas

Why is insecticide resistance important in German cockroaches?

German cockroaches can develop resistance to insecticides, especially where the same products or modes of action are used repeatedly.

This can make infestations harder to control.

What role do aggregation pheromones play in German cockroach behaviour?

German cockroaches use chemical cues/aggregation pheromones that encourage them to group together in harbourages.

These cues can be associated with faeces and contaminated surfaces.

What can daytime sightings of German cockroaches indicate?

Because German cockroaches are mainly nocturnal, frequent daytime activity can indicate:

• A heavy infestation

• Overcrowding

• Disturbed harbourages

What is the scientific name of the American cockroach?

Periplaneta americana

What is the classification breakdown of the American cockroach?

Kingdom — Animalia
Phylum — Arthropoda
Class — Insecta
Order — Blattodea
Genus — Periplaneta
Species — americana
Scientific name — Periplaneta americana

What is the key identifying feature of the American cockroach?

Reddish-brown body with a pale yellow/cream border around the pronotum.

What are the general appearance features of an adult American cockroach?

• Large

• Reddish-brown

• Pale/yellowish edge around the pronotum

• Fully developed wings

• About 35–40 mm long

Can American cockroaches fly?

Yes. Adults have fully developed wings and can fly, although they often run instead.

What size is an adult American cockroach?

About 35–40 mm long.

What is important about the American cockroach ootheca?

• The female carries it only briefly

• She then deposits/glues it in a protected location

• Each ootheca contains about 12–16 eggs

• Unlike German cockroaches, she does not carry it until hatching

Summarise the breeding and life cycle of the American cockroach.

• About ______ oothecae per female

• eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about

• Nymphs become adults in about

• Adults live about

• Total lifespan roughly

• Female carries ootheca until

• Up to about 50 oothecae per female

• About 12–16 eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about 4–8 weeks

• Nymphs develop for about 6–12 months

• Adults live about 6–12 months

• Total lifespan roughly 1–2 years

• Female carries ootheca briefly, then deposits it

What is the preferred habitat of the American cockroach?

Warm, moist, dark areas with access to food and decaying organic matter.

Commonly associated with sewers, drains, basements, boiler rooms and service areas.

What are the main inspection spots for American cockroaches?

• Drains and sewer areas

• Around floor drains and plumbing

• Basements, plant rooms and boiler rooms

• Wall voids and service ducts

• Around garbage and waste areas

• Dark, warm, damp areas around buildings

What is the diet of the American cockroach?

Decaying organic matter and food waste.

What is the distinct behaviour of the American cockroach?

Large, mobile cockroach that commonly lives in warm, damp service areas and can move considerable distances.

It is more likely than German cockroaches to wander and move between indoor and outdoor environments.

How do American cockroaches spread to new locations?

They can spread by actively moving through buildings and service systems, including:

• Drains and sewer lines

• Plumbing and pipe penetrations

• Wall voids and service ducts

• Moving from outdoor harbourages into buildings

They may also be transported accidentally, but active movement is much more important than with German cockroaches.

What are the main signs of an American cockroach infestation?

• Live adults and nymphs

• Large dark droppings

• Oothecae (egg cases)

• Cast skins

• Strong musty/oily odour in heavy infestations

• Activity around drains, plumbing, sewer areas and damp service spaces

For comparison, your easiest distinction is:

Why are American cockroaches strongly associated with drains and sewers?

They prefer warm, dark, humid environments and can survive well in sewer systems, drains and service areas where there is moisture and decaying organic matter.

What is the scientific name of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Periplaneta fuliginosa

What is the classification breakdown of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Kingdom — Animalia
Phylum — Arthropoda
Class — Insecta
Order — Blattodea
Genus — Periplaneta
Species — fuliginosa
Scientific name — Periplaneta fuliginosa

What is the key identifying feature of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Uniform dark mahogany-brown to almost black body, without the pale pronotum markings seen in some other large cockroaches.

What are the general appearance features of an adult Smokybrown cockroach?

• Large

• Dark mahogany-brown (almost black)

• Shiny appearance

• Long wings

• About 30–35 mm long

Can Smokybrown cockroaches fly?

Yes. They are strong flyers and are more likely to fly than German or American cockroaches.

What size is an adult Smokybrown cockroach?

About 30–35 mm long.

What is important about the Smokybrown cockroach ootheca?

• The female carries it only briefly

• She then deposits it in a protected location

• Each ootheca contains about 20–26 eggs

Summarise the breeding and life cycle of the Smokybrown cockroach.

• About ______ oothecae per female

• eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about

• Nymphs become adults in about

• Adults live about

• Total lifespan roughly

• Female carries ootheca until

• Up to about 17 oothecae per female

• About 20–26 eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about 4–6 weeks

• Nymphs develop for about 6–12 months

• Adults live about 6–12 months

• Total lifespan roughly 1–2 years

• Female carries ootheca briefly, then deposits it

What is the preferred habitat of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Warm, humid outdoor areas with lots of decaying plant matter.

Commonly associated with trees, mulch, leaf litter and roof spaces.

What are the main inspection spots for Smokybrown cockroaches?

• Trees and tree hollows

• Mulch and leaf litter

• Roof voids and eaves

• Around gutters

• Under bark and logs

• Around outdoor lighting

• Damp sheltered areas around buildings

What is the diet of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Decaying plant matter and other decaying organic matter.

What is the distinct behaviour of the Smokybrown cockroach?

Strong outdoor-associated flyer.

It commonly lives outside but may enter buildings, especially in warm, humid conditions.

How do Smokybrown cockroaches spread to new locations or enter buildings?

They mainly spread by active movement and flight.

They may enter through:

• Roof gaps and eaves

• Windows and doors

• Ventilation openings

• Around gutters and roof spaces

They are not mainly hitchhikers like German cockroaches.

What are the main signs of a Smokybrown cockroach infestation?

• Live adults and nymphs

• Droppings

• Oothecae

• Cast skins

• Activity around roof voids, gutters and outdoor vegetation

• Cockroaches flying around lights at night

What environmental conditions strongly favour Smokybrown cockroaches?

Warmth + high humidity + abundant outdoor plant material.

What is the scientific name of the Australian cockroach?

Periplaneta australasiae

What is the classification breakdown of the Australian cockroach?

Kingdom — Animalia
Phylum — Arthropoda
Class — Insecta
Order — Blattodea
Genus — Periplaneta
Species — australasiae
Scientific name — Periplaneta australasiae

What is the key identifying feature of the Australian cockroach?

Yellow markings around the pronotum AND pale yellow stripes along the outer edges of the forewings.

What are the general appearance features of an adult Australian cockroach?

• Large

• Dark reddish-brown/brown

• Yellow markings around the pronotum

• Pale yellow markings along the forewing edges

• About 30–35 mm long

Can Australian cockroaches fly?

Yes. Adults have well-developed wings and can fly readily, particularly in warm conditions.

What size is an adult Australian cockroach?

About 30–35 mm long.

What is important about the Australian cockroach ootheca?

• The female carries it for a short period

• She then drops or glues it in a protected crack or crevice

• Each ootheca contains about 24 eggs

Summarise the breeding and life cycle of the Australian cockroach.

• About ______ oothecae per female

• eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about

• Nymphs become adults in about

• Adults live about

• Total lifespan roughly

• Female carries ootheca until

• About 12–20 oothecae per female

• Up to about 24 eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about 40 days

• Nymphs develop for about 6–12 months

• Adults live about 4–8 months

• Total lifespan roughly 1–2 years

• Female carries ootheca briefly, then deposits it

What is the preferred habitat of the Australian cockroach?

Warm, humid outdoor areas with abundant plant material.

Common around shrubs, trees, gardens, greenhouses, woodpiles, bark and leaf litter.

What are the main inspection spots for Australian cockroaches?

• Shrubs and trees

• Under bark and leaf litter

• Woodpiles

• Mulch and garden beds

• Greenhouses

• Subfloor areas

• Wall and roof voids

What is the diet of the Australian cockroach?

Decaying plant matter.

What is the distinct behaviour of the Australian cockroach?

Outdoor, plant-associated cockroach that can readily enter buildings.

It prefers warm, humid vegetation and garden environments.

How do Australian cockroaches spread to new locations or enter buildings?

Mainly through active crawling and flight from outdoor harbourages.

They may enter from:

• Gardens and vegetation

• Mulch and leaf litter

• Woodpiles

• Roof and wall openings

• Doors and windows

What are the main signs of an Australian cockroach infestation?

• Live adults and nymphs

• Droppings

• Oothecae

• Cast skins

• Activity around gardens, vegetation and woodpiles

• Cockroaches entering subfloors, wall voids and roof voids

How can you quickly distinguish an Australian cockroach from an American cockroach?

Australian: pale yellow stripes along the outer edges of the forewings.

American: lacks those yellow wing-edge stripes.

Both can have pale/yellow markings around the pronotum.

What is the scientific name of the Brown-banded cockroach?

Supella longipalpa

What is the scientific name of the Brown-banded cockroach?

Supella longipalpa

What is the classification breakdown of the Brown-banded cockroach?

Kingdom — Animalia
Phylum — Arthropoda
Class — Insecta
Order — Blattodea
Genus — Supella
Species — longipalpa
Scientific name — Supella longipalpa

What is the key identifying feature of the Brown-banded cockroach?

Two pale bands across the body/wings.

Nymphs show the bands especially clearly across the abdomen.

What are the general appearance features of an adult Brown-banded cockroach?

Small

Light brown/tan

Pale bands across the body/wings

Males have longer, fully developed wings

Females are shorter and broader, with wings that do not fully cover the abdomen

About 10–13 mm lon

Can Brown-banded cockroaches fly?

Males can fly readily, especially when disturbed.

Females are much poorer flyers.

What size is an adult Brown-banded cockroach?

About 10–13 mm long.

What is important about the Brown-banded cockroach ootheca?

• Female carries it for about 30 hours

• Then glues it to a protected surface

• Often placed on walls, ceilings, furniture or hidden high areas

• Each ootheca contains about 13 eggs

What are the general appearance features of an adult Brown-banded cockroach?

• About ______ oothecae per female

• eggs per ootheca

• Eggs hatch in about

• Nymphs become adults in about

• Adults live about

• Total lifespan roughly

• Female carries ootheca until

• About 13–14 oothecae per female

• About 13 eggs average; up to 18

• Eggs hatch in roughly 1–3 months

• Nymphs develop for about 2–4 months

• Adults live about 3–6 months

• Total lifespan roughly 6–18 months

• Female carries ootheca briefly, then glues it to a protected surface