Brown Cockroach

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Common Name: Brown Cockroach

Latin Name: Periplaneta brunnea

Common Family Name: Blattid cockroaches

Latin Family Name: Blattidae

Other Names:

Origin: Possibly from northern Africa, and now established in the southeastern states of the United States, from Texas to Florida and in Hawaii. It is occasionally found in other states as a possible transient carried in packages.

Biology: Under laboratory conditions this species is shown to have a huge potential for reproduction. In natural conditions in the U.S., so far, this has not happened, and it remains a minor species. It is capable of parthenogenesis, or reproduction without males, although sexual reproduction with males is normal. The female can produce up to 30 egg capsules in her lifetime, which may be almost 2 years long. Each capsule contains an average of 24 eggs, and is almost twice the size of the capsule of the American roach, and the female carefully glues it to a hidden surface. These are an outdoor roach that lives in dense vegetation as well as other damp, secluded locations, and will enter structures commonly.

Identification: The Brown roach is almost identical to the American roach, having the same color and yellow markings on the prothorax. The minor differences that distinguish the Brown roach are cerci that are stubby and somewhat triangular, wings on the male that barely extend past the abdomen, and some light spots on the sides of the first two abdominal segments. In addition, on the first instar nymphs the first 8 and the last 4 segments of the antennae are white.

Characteristics Important in Control: Since this species occurs outdoors, control begins with habit management in the outdoor areas. Removal of harborage sites under debris or piles of wood and discarded materials will reduce populations near a structure. Control of food and moisture sources outdoors and indoors are important. Granular insect baits are well accepted, and the use of a perimeter treatment with a residual insecticide will intercept many individuals that attempt to access a structure.