Cockroaches Flashcards
Order of cockroaches
Blattodea
Cockroaches aggregate in groups and share food and digestive fluids but are not
eusocial - they do not have a division of labor like termites and other social insects
How many species of cockroaches are found in the U.S.?
About 70
Two species of cockroaches that are known to live indoors exclusively
German and brown-banded
Cockroaches can spread pathogens that cause diseases like
Salmonella
Cockroaches produce
allergens that can affect human health
Allergens produced by cockroaches come from
proteins found in cockroach feces, shed exoskeletons, and their dead bodies, which become airborne in the confined space of an infested home
Cockroaches develop via
gradual metamorphosis
The only cockroach species to carry the ootheca internally until the nymphs hatch, giving the appearance of a live birth
Surinam
Why does cockroach feces attract nymphs and other adults to their harborage areas?
aggregation pheromones
The eating of feces
coprophagy - an important means for young cockroaches to obtain nutrition
One reason why cockroach bait is so effective?
foraging cockroaches defecate some of the bait before they die, and first instar nymphs then consume it and die
Believed to contribute to the distribution of insecticides among cockroaches in harborage areas
necrophagy (the eating of one’s dead) and cannibalism
Produce five or more ootheca containing as many as 50 eggs over the course of a year
German
What makes cockroaches likely candidates for developing insecticide resistance?
their high reproductive potential
Control strategies should include applications of
baits, dusts, and sprays in and around harborage areas
These cockroaches are found outdoors in warmer climates; in sewers; and indoors in heated buildings year-round
American
Found in low, weedy vegetation
Asian and Field
Found mostly outdoors, but occasionally indoors
Smokey brown
Found mostly outdoors, occasionally indoors, especially in potted plants
Surinam
exuviae
skin castings
12-18 eggs per ootheca; females deposit ootheca into cracks and crevices, especially moist areas
American
14-18 eggs per ootheca; females sometimes glue ootheca to furniture, ceilings, or appliances
brownbanded
14-18 eggs per ootheca; females carry ootheca until ready to hatch
field cockroach
16 eggs per ootheca; female may carry ootheca for up to five days before depositing it near a food source
oriental
only the males of these cockroaches can fly
brownbanded and native wood cockroaches
how many eggs per segment of an ootheca
two
have rapid development (approx 100 days from egg to adult)
german
adult cockroaches cannot regenerate new legs (if torn off) but….
nymphs can (when they molt)
often a key feature in distinguishing cockroach species
pronotum
cockroaches two sets of palps are called
labial & maxillary
cockroach eyes may be different sized based on
male vs female
middle part of cockroaches face is called
fron
Can take 9 months to 2 years to develop from egg to adult
American
Found in different locales than Germans
Brown banded
Can be found throughout structure often behind picture frames and mounted artwork
Brown banded
Less moisture needed than German cockroaches
Brown banded
Transparent edge on pronotum, no stripes on pronotum - black bell-shape on pronotum - horizontal strips on wings
Brown banded
Do not breed indoors so exclusion and perimeter treatments are best - indoor applications not effective
Asian
Two behaviors of Asian cockroaches to distinguish from Germans
Asians are attracted to light and readily fly
