Parcoblatta lata

Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865

Broad Wood Cockroach

Parcoblatta lata, the broad wood , is one of the largest in the Parcoblatta. It is native to the eastern United States and is particularly notable as a primary food source for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, comprising more than half the of this bird's diet. The species has been studied for its unusual macrocyclic lactone , parcoblattalactone, which has potential applications in monitoring cockroach for conservation purposes.

Parcoblatta lata by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Parcoblatta lata adult female NC by Happy1892. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Parcoblatta lata and Parcoblatta virginica adult males comparison NC by Happy1892. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Parcoblatta lata: /ˌpɑrkoʊˈblætə ˈleɪtə/

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

Identification

Males distinguished by long, wide tegmina extending beyond . Females distinguished by short tegmina ending at second segment and disproportionately large, rounded pronotum. Larger and more robust than most . approximately 4 mm × 9 mm with slightly curved seam and row of about 30 evenly spaced knobs.

Images

Habitat

Forests and grasslands. to pine forests of the southeastern United States. Also found in grassland and shrub in Kansas and low-lying mesic hammocks in Florida. Has been reported indoors, at lights, and under wooden signs on trees.

Distribution

Eastern United States: Alabama, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Diet

Has been observed eating cambium, flower petals, and sap. Male specimens have been found in pitcher plants (Sarracenia flava), leading to speculation that winged may seek nectar as an energy source for .

Host Associations

red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) - preyComprises more than 50% of of woodpecker's diet; primary food source for this

Life Cycle

measures approximately 4 mm × 9 mm. Females produce ootheca with slightly curved seam bearing about 30 evenly spaced knobs.

Behavior

Females emit volatile, long-distance to attract mates, assuming a characteristic calling posture by alternately raising and lowering the body through longitudinal bending and straightening. Males fly to female locations. component identified as parcoblattalactone [(4Z,11Z)-oxacyclotrideca-4,11-dien-2-one], a macrocyclic lactone. is methanogenic (methane-producing).

Ecological Role

Critical prey item for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. levels may serve as an index of suitability for woodpecker conservation. Methanogenic metabolism contributes to carbon cycling in forest .

Human Relevance

Subject of research for conservation monitoring; synthetic developed for assessing Parcoblatta . Occasionally found indoors but not considered a significant pest . Potential for forest management and assessment.

Similar Taxa

other Parcoblatta species12 in share general wood ; P. lata distinguished by larger size and specific chemistry
Ectobiidae family members-level characteristics of tegmina structure and body plan; P. lata distinguished by size and patterns

More Details

Pheromone chemistry

Parcoblattalactone [(4Z,11Z)-oxacyclotrideca-4,11-dien-2-one] is a previously unidentified natural product and represents a novel pheromonal structure for , distinct from classes used by other cockroach .

Conservation significance

Because in red-cockaded woodpeckers is strongly affected by seasonal and spatial changes in availability, monitoring P. lata could serve as a useful index of suitability for woodpecker conservation efforts.