Cockroaches

Oriental Cockroach/Blatta orientalis

Appearance

•  25 – 30 mm long.
•  Dark brown to black in colour.
•  The wings undeveloped in female and cover ¾ length of the abdomen in the male.
•  Runs rather than flies.

Lifecycle

•  Females deposit 16 eggs in an ootheca (egg case).
•  Hatch in 2 months.
•  Nymphs take 5 – 9 months to develop into adults.

Habits

•  Buildings.
•  Can tolerate lower temperatures than other cockroaches so can also be found outdoors, on rubbish tips etc.
•  Nocturnal.
•  Omnivorous.

German cockroach/Blatella germanica

Appearance

•  12 – 15mm long.
•  Brown with 2 dark stripes on thorax.
•  The wings are as long as the body or slightly overlapping in both sexes.
•  Runs and climbs (sticky pads on the feet).

Lifecycle

•  Females carry 35 – 40 eggs in an ootheca (egg case) until they are ready to hatch.
•  Hatch in 1 month.
•  Nymphs take between 6 weeks to 6 months to develop into adults.

Habits

•  Heated buildings, often kitchens and ships. Prefers high temperatures and humidities.
•  Nocturnal.