Asian Cockroach

Blattella asahinai

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Superfamily: Blaberoidea
Family: Ectobiidae
Subfamily: Blattellinae
Genus: Blattella
Species: asahinai

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Blattella asahinai: //blæˈtɛlə ˌɑːsəˈhaɪnaɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Blattella asahinai the Asian cockroach - nymph 06 by Natasha Wright, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Blattella asahinai the Asian cockroach - adult 05 by Natasha Wright, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

An Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai; possibly) by Billjones94. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

ARS Blattella asahinai by wikipedia. Used under a Public domain license.

Asian Cockroach,Nativeplants Botanical Garden by Nativeplants garden. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Asian Cockroach by Nativeplants garden. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Blattella asahinai, known as the Asian cockroach, is a small cockroach species native to parts of Asia and has become established in the southern United States. Known for its strong flying ability and attraction to light, it shares similarities with the German cockroach but has notable ecological differences, particularly in its outdoor habitat preference and pest control implications.

Physical Characteristics

Typically 1.3 to 1.6 centimeters long; tan to dark brown with dark parallel stripes on the head; wings longer than the German cockroach; slight morphological differences including a groove in the abdomen.

Identification Tips

Attracted to light and is a strong flyer, unlike the German cockroach which avoids light. Morphological differences can be seen in the ventral surface of the left mandible and wing size.

Habitat

Predominantly found outdoors in shaded mulched or composted areas with fresh plant litter; large areas of grass or leaf litter.

Distribution

Native to Eastern and Southern Asia; adventive in the southern United States, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on human food, pet food, flowers, agricultural crops, and lepidopteran eggs.

Life Cycle

Nymphs turn from white to brown shortly after hatching; females require 60-70 days to reach adulthood; adults live approximately 50 to 100 days.

Reproduction

Females produce approximately four oothecae in their lifetime, each containing 35-40 eggs; producing first ootheca about 13 days after maturity.

Predators

Nymphs and adults have been observed feeding on pest eggs, primarily in agricultural settings.

Ecosystem Role

Helps in controlling bollworm eggs which are pests to crops like cotton and soybean.

Economic Impact

Considered a pest due to its presence near food sources and potential to cause allergic reactions similar to the German cockroach.

Health Concerns

Potential to carry pathogens due to habitat proximity to animal feces and decaying matter, though no specific pathogens have been linked to this species as of now.

Collecting Methods

Hand capture
Traps

Preservation Methods

Ethanol
Freezing

Evolution

B. asahinai diverged from B. germanica slightly over 2000 years ago; believed to be the presumed ancestor of the German cockroach.

Similar Taxa

Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
B. vaga (Field cockroach)

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for German cockroach, leading to misidentification and ineffective pest control measures.