Ectobiidae

Definition

A family of small to medium-sized cockroaches in the order Blattodea, formerly treated as Blattellidae. Members are commonly known as wood cockroaches and include many of the most widespread household pest species. The family is characterized by relatively slender bodies, well-developed wings in most adults, and oothecae that are often carried externally for some period before deposition. Ectobiidae is placed in the superfamily Blaberoidea and comprises five recognized subfamilies: Anaplectinae, Blattellinae, Ectobiinae, Nyctiborinae, and Pseudophyllodromiinae.

Etymology

From the genus Ectobius (Greek ektos 'outside' + bios 'life') + -idae, the family suffix.

Example

Blattella germanica (German cockroach) and Supella longipalpa (brown-banded cockroach) are economically significant ectobiids that have colonized human structures worldwide, whereas Parcoblatta species such as the Pennsylvania wood cockroach (P. pennsylvanica) remain primarily outdoor inhabitants of forested habitats.

Synonyms

• Blattellidae (former name)

Related Terms

• Blattodea
• Blaberoidea
• Blattellinae
• Blattella germanica
• Parcoblatta
• wood cockroach
• Pterygote
• Ootheca

Usage Notes

The family was long known as Blattellidae, but Ectobiidae has priority under zoological nomenclature rules and is now the accepted name. The term 'wood cockroach' applies broadly to ectobiids but is especially associated with Parcoblatta and related genera that inhabit decaying wood; this contrasts with the more domestic-adapted 'German cockroach' group. Ectobiidae is distinguished from the larger Blattidae (which includes Periplaneta) by generally smaller size, different male genitalia, and other subtle morphological characters. The family is not to be confused with Ectobius, which is a genus within it.