American cockroach
| American Cockroach | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Blattaria |
| Family: | Blattidae |
| Genus: | Periplaneta |
| Species: | P. americana |
| Binomial name | |
| Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), also known as the waterbug,[1] or misidentified as the palmetto bug (see Florida woods cockroach for the differences), is the largest species of common cockroach, and often considered a pest. None of the Periplaneta species are endemic to the Americas; despite the name, P. americana was introduced to the United States from Africa as early as 1625.[2] They are now common in tropical climates because human activity has extended the insect's range of habitation, and global shipping has transported the insects to world ports including the Southern United States, Tenerife, southern Spain, Greece, Taiwan, and Cape Town and Durban, South Africa.
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[edit] Characteristics
American cockroach adults grow to an average length of around 4 centimetres (1.6 in) and about 7 millimetres (0.28 in) tall.[3] They are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the body region behind the head. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except that they are wingless.
The insect can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when someone enters a room, and can fit into small cracks and under doors despite its fairly large size. It is considered one of the fastest running insects.[4]
In an experiment carried out at the University of California, Berkeley in 1991, a Periplaneta americana registered a record speed of 5.4 kilometres per hour (3.4 mph), about 50 body lengths per second, which would be comparable to a human running at 330 kilometres per hour (210 mph).[5][6]
It has a pair of large compound eyes each having over 2000 individual lenses, and is a very active night insect that shuns light.
Many people find this cockroach disgusting and terrifying, but aside from being filthy, they are, in fact, harmless to humans. They do not bite and are not poisonous.
[edit] Habitat
American cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer warm temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F) and do not tolerate cold temperatures. In residential areas, these cockroaches live in basements and sewers, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings.
The American cockroach is a scavenger that feeds on decaying organic matter and a variety of other foods. It is particularly fond of fermenting foods.[7]
[edit] Life cycle
Females produce an egg case called an ootheca which protrudes from the tip of the abdomen. After about two days, the egg cases are placed on a surface in a safe location. Egg cases are about 0.9 centimetres (0.35 in) long, brown, and purse shaped. Immature cockroaches emerge from egg cases in 6 to 8 weeks and require 6 to 12 months to mature. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produce an average of 150 young.
[edit] Control
Due to their large size and slow development, large infestations of these insects are not common within houses. However, during certain times of the year, these cockroaches may move inside a house from outside. In cold weather these cockroaches may move indoors, seeking warmer temperatures and food. Cockroaches may enter houses through sewer connections, under doors, around plumbing, air ducts, or other openings in the foundation.[8] Cockroach populations may be controlled through the use of insecticides.
[edit] Comparison of three common roaches
| Roach | German cockroach | Oriental cockroach | American cockroach |
| Size | 12 mm (0.47 in) to 15 mm (0.59 in) | 25 mm (0.98 in) to 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28 mm (1.1 in) to 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Habitat | Heated buildings, optimum 32 °C (90 °F) | 20 °C (68 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F) | Same as German |
| Nymphal development time | 6 to 12 weeks | 6 to 12 months | 2 to 4 months |
| Life Span | 6 to 9 months | 1 to 1.5 years | 1 to 2 years |
| Able to fly? | No | No | Yes |
[edit] See also
- Periplanone B - American cockroach pheromone
- Mouse, another ubiquitous and commonly-loathed pest
[edit] References
- ^ Cassidy, Frederic Gomes; Hall, Joan Houston (2002). Dictionary of American Regional English (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-674-00884-7. http://books.google.com/?id=i33BWgxbvXgC.
- ^ Bell, W.J.; Adiyodi, K.G. (1981). The American Cockroach. London: Chapman and Hall. ISBN 978-0412161407.
- ^ Barbara, Kathryn A. (2008). "American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)". http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/roaches/american_cockroach.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
- ^ Merritt, Thomas M. (July 31, 1999). "Chapter 39 — Fastest Runner". Book of Insect Records. University of Florida. http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_39.shtml.
- ^ Shukolyukov, S.A. (September 27, 2001). "Discovering the Achievements of the American Cockroach". University Science News. http://www.unisci.com/stories/20013/0927016.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
- ^ "Fastest Land Insect". http://www.4to40.com/recordbook/index.asp?id=41&category=animal.
- ^ Jones, Susan C. (2008). "Agricultural and Natural Resources Fact Sheet: American Cockroach (HYG-2096-08)" (PDF). Ohio State University. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/pdf/2096.pdf.
- ^ "American Cockroach". Amalgamated Pest Control. http://www.amalpest.com.au/LearningCentre/PestFacts/Cockroaches/AmericanCockroach/.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Periplaneta americana |
- Fact sheet on American cockroaches featuring information on habits, habitat, prevention tips, and health threats
- An Ohio State University Entomology article on the American cockroach (PDF)
- Gallery of cockroaches
- Order Blattodea, Exploring California Insects
- University of Minnesota Extension - Cockroaches article
- American cockroach egg parasitoid on the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures website
