The
American cockroach is also known as the
water bug, flying water bug, and, in
some areas of the South, the palmetto
bug. It is the largest of the common
roach species, growing to be 1.5 inches
long or more. Although they are the
least common among domestic
(residentially found) species, they rank
second in abundance to the German
cockroach in many commercial buildings.
They are reddish-brown in color with a
pale brown or yellow border on the pronotum. Both sexes are fully winged,
though they rarely fly. The males' wings
extend beyond the abdomen while the
females' are the same length as the
abdomen.
The time it takes for an American
cockroach to fully develop depends on
temperature; however, it averages around
600 days under room temperature. Egg
capsules are formed at the rate of about
one per week until anywhere from 15 to
90 capsules have been produced. The
capsule is dropped within one day of
being produced in a suitable location,
such as near a food or water source, or
in a protected area. If it is in the
South, they are sometimes deposited
outdoors in moist or decaying wood. The
ootheca (egg case), which is black in
color, can be glued into these locations
by a secretion that the female produces
from her mouth. Since the ootheca
requires such high humidity to hatch
successfully, it is not feasible at
times for the female to deposit her eggs
outside. For this reason, the American
cockroach will often find indoor sources
to live and lay their eggs. In cold or
arid regions, American cockroaches can
be found in large numbers in damp
basements, restaurant dishwashing rooms,
bathtubs, clothes hampers, floor drains,
and sewer systems. In basements, they
are often found high on the walls. After
being at room temperature, the eggs will
hatch in 50-55 days. Young nymphs are
grayish-brown in color and will molt
9-13 times before reaching maturity.
With each molt, they become more and
more reddish-brown in color. The nymphal
stage can last anywhere from 160-970
days. After reaching adulthood, females
can live from 14-15 months; males live
slightly shorter lives.
The American cockroach prefers warm,
moist, dark areas. This is why they are
so abundant in sewer systems, basements,
and anywhere in commercial buildings,
such as restaurants, grocery stores,
bakeries, hotels, hospitals, and
prisons, where there is not proper
ventilation. In the South, this species
is abundant in alleyways, yards, hollow
trees and palm trees. Sometimes, they
are found underneath shingles or
occasionally, in attics. When conditions
are unfavorable outdoors, American
roaches will move indoors. As mentioned
in the previous section, these roaches
can also be found in bathtubs, clothes
hampers, and floor drains. Although they
do not fly often, they have been known
to fly in certain geographical areas.
Moreover, they rely on their excellent
gliding abilities and are able to cover
long distances if they take off from a
rooftop or the top of a building. Along
the Gulf Coast in Texas, they have been
observed flying around streetlights.
American cockroaches have also been seen
flying in the extremely hot desert areas
of California.
For food, American cockroaches prefer
decaying organic manner. They also feed
on bookbindings, manuscripts, clothing,
and paper. Sweet things such as syrup
are also appealing. If no food is
available, they can live for 2-3 months.
They will die if no water is ingested
for over a month.
If American cockroaches become an indoor
pest, it is usually for one of two
reasons. The first way they may enter
indoors is transportation through
grocery packages or other carrying
devices such as handbags. The second
reason the species enters is because
they found the outdoors unsuitable to
live in. They enter buildings in search
of dark, damp area suitable to live and
breed.
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