Oriental
Cockroaches
Female Oriental Cockroach
Blatta Orientalis Linnaeus
Male Oriental Cockroach
The origin of the oriental cockroach, Blatta
Orientalis Linnaeus, is uncertain, but it is
thought to be from Africa or south Russia. It
is a major household pest in parts of the
northwest, mid-west, and southern United
States. It is also sometimes referred to as
the "black beetle" or a "water bug" because of
its dark black appearance and tendency to
harbor in damp locations.
The oriental cockroach is approximately 1
inch long (22 to 27mm) and dark brown to
black. Males have wings covering 3/4 of their
body, and the female has very short
(rudimentary) wings. The inner wing folds
like a fan and is membranous. The outer part
of the wing is narrow, leathery and thick. The
styli between a pair of jointed cerci can
identify the male. Both the male and female
are flightless.
Introduction
Description
A female oriental cockroach produces an
average of eight egg capsules per lifetime.
Each egg capsule or ootheca contains about
16 eggs that are lined up vertically, two by two
in the egg case. The egg capsule may be
carried from 12 hours to five days and then
deposited in a warm sheltered environment
where food is readily available. The
incubation period for the oriental cockroach
is a bout 42 to 81 days. The female gives no
assistance to the young. Nymphs go through
seven molts before becoming adults, which
takes approximately one year. An adult B.
orientalis can live from 34 to 180 days, and
pairing takes place at any season.
Life Cycle
Egg case and early instar
Late instar
Any area that has a high humidity and a cool
temperature should be examined. Crawl spaces,
basements, and kitchen and bathroom plumbing
can be inspected for dead roaches, egg cases, and
fecal smears. Also, any spider webs in these
locations can be inspected for cockroach remains.
Detection
Blatta orientalis is common outdoors, and lives in warm damp shady areas near the ground or any area containing natural debris. It will
often seek refuge indoors when a drop in temperature occurs, but is still quite tolerable of cooler weather. The most common areas to
find B. orientalis are basements, crawl spaces, areas between the soil and foundation, underneath sidewalks, in sewer pipes, in floor
drains, and under sinks or any other damp cool area in the house. The roach travels through the structure on plumbing pipes. Outside
the house they sometimes aggregate near or under garbage cans. The species tends to be seasonal, with adults appearing in spring
and summer. When large numbers of roaches occur, overcrowding can lead to the mass migration of roach species such as the
German cockroach, Blattella germanica, the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, and the oriental cockroach.
Habits and Habitat
The oriental cockroach is often found feeding
on garbage, sewage, or decaying organic
matter and will eat almost anything. A diet
high in starch is preferred.
Diet
- The outsides of doors, windows, pipe
openings and dryer vents should be treated
with a good residual spray.
- Any plumbing leaks should be fixed, and
any moist spaces should be ventilated.
- Cracks in the structure should be caulked at
ground level.
- Decaying leaves and organic matter should
be removed away from windows and doors.
- Garbage cans should be kept out of moist
habitats
- Drain traps should be kept full or capped.
Information and photos provided by The University of Florida
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