Characteristics of Common Cockroach Species

Common and scientific names German
(Blattella germanica)		 Brownbanded
(Supella longipalpa)		 American
(Periplanta americana)		 Oriental
(Blatta orientalis)		 Smokybrown
(Periplaneta fuliginosa)
Color and distinctive markings Light brown with 2 dark stripes on the pronotum (platelike structure behind the head on the back). Tan with faint V-shaped lighter bands on wings. Nymph has 2 distinct brown bands running crosswise on body. Reddish brown throughout with a pale band on the edge of the pronotum. Dark brown-black throughout. Adult male wings do not cover abdomen. Adult females are wingless. Dark brown to black. The wings of both sexes cover the abdomen.
Length of adult 1/2 to 5/8 inch 3/8 to 1/2 inch 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inch 1 1/4 inch 1 1/2 inch
Average # of eggs/egg case1 28 16 14 18 17
Life cycle from egg to adult 64-251 days 143-379 days 320-1071 days 316-533 days 324-890 days
Reproduction characteristics Female carries egg case until about 1 day before hatching. Egg case glued to rough, dark areas such as ceilings, beneath furniture, or in closets; will glue egg cases on top of one another. Egg case deposited in sheltered area on or near floor, usually close to food and concealed in debris. Needs high humidity to hatch. Female uses existing crevices in which to secure and conceal egg case; usually covers egg case with debris or sometimes with fecal pellets. Female carries egg case until 3-4 days before hatching, then deposits in a sheltered area.
Preferred habitat Usually found in kitchen and bathroom. Prefers dark voids such as cracks and crevices not more than 3/16" wide, especially in warm moist areas like:
  • food preparation areas

  • undersides of tables, kitchen equipment, and service counters

  • kitchen cupboards

  • motor compartments of refrigerators

  • electrical fuse boxes

  • spaces under broken plaster or behind sinks
Favors cracks and crevices but prefers them in warm dry areas throughout the building. Prefers high locations in heated buildings, but can also be found:
  • under furniture

  • in appliances that generate heat

  • on the undersides of counters that support appliances that generate heat

  • behind pictures and picture frames

  • behind wallpaper

  • in ceiling light fixtures

  • in telephones

  • in desks and dressers

  • in boxes

  • in piles of debris or stored material in closets
 Usually found in basements or sewers. Prefers warm, moist areas:

  • around furnaces or heating ducts

  • in steam pipe catacombs

  • in drainage manholes and grease traps

  • in sewers

Also lives outside in treeholes, woodpiles or swimming pool areas.		 Found in areas with excessive moisture.

Found in cooler areas of a building such as:

  • basements

  • cellars

  • service ducts

  • crawl spaces

Can also tolerate hot, dry locations such as:

  • radiators

  • ovens

  • hot-water pipes

  • under floor coverings

Can tolerate colder temperatures, and is capable of overwintering out-of-doors in colder regions of the U.S.

 Found in attics and warm, moist areas such as:
  • food preparation areas

  • bathrooms

Usually lives outside in woodpiles and organic debris during warm weather.

Natural enemy parasites2 Miniwasp Aprostocetus hagenowi Parasitic wasp Evania appendigaster and miniwasp Aprostocetus hagenowi Miniwasp Aprostocetus hagenowi

1The number actually hatched can be fewer.

2Other natural enemies include spiders, ants, wasps, beetles, mantids, dragonflies, centipedes, scorpions, toads, geckos, and rats.



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