American Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Periplaneta americana: /ˌpɛrɪpləˈniːtə əˌmɛrɪˈkeɪnə/

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

Images

TRP P.Americana retina by wikipedia. Used under a PD license.
Periplaneta americana anatomy by Snodgrass_common_household_roaches.png: Fig. 49 from Insects, their way and means of living, R. E. Snodgrass derivative work: B kimmel (talk). Used under a Public domain license.
Periplaneta americana USDA ARS cutted by Periplaneta_americana_USDA_ARS.jpg: USDA ARS derivative work: B kimmel (talk). Used under a Public domain license.
Periplaneta-americana-Eier cropped by Periplaneta-americana-Eier.jpg: Fonkê Leif Selber und Carsten Selber derivative work: B kimmel (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Periplaneta americana USDA ARS by Keith Weller. Used under a Public domain license.
Disgusting bug by Periplaneta_americana.jpg: Muhammad Mahdi Karim derivative work: Durova (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the largest common cockroach species, originally from Africa, now prevalent worldwide as a pest. It has a distinct morphology, complex life cycle, and significant interaction with human environments, including health risks.

Physical Characteristics

Reddish brown with a yellowish margin on the pronotum; adults can reach up to 38 mm; immature cockroaches are wingless; males have a pair of cerci and additional styli at the tips of the abdomen.

Identification Tips

Look for long, tapered cerci to distinguish from other Periplaneta species; males can be identified by smaller styli between the cerci.

Habitat

Prefers moist areas but can survive in dry conditions if water is accessible; common in basements, crawl spaces, and cracks near buildings; prefers high temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F).

Distribution

Originally from Africa and the Middle East; introduced to the United States as early as 1625; now common in tropical climates and virtually cosmopolitan due to human activity.

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on materials such as cheese, beer, leather, bakery products, starch, hair, dead animals, and soiled clothing; particularly attracted to fermenting foods.

Life Cycle

Undergoes three developmental stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Egg cases (oothecae) are produced by females and take 6-8 weeks to hatch; can live up to about 700 days with females producing an average of 150 young.

Reproduction

Females produce 9-10 oothecae, sometimes up to 90; both sexual reproduction and facultative parthenogenesis occur; eggs produced by parthenogenesis have lower viability.

Ecosystem Role

Significant pests; involved in the process of coprophagy for gut microbial establishment among nymphs.

Economic Impact

Considered a pest; can contaminate food and contribute to allergic reactions in some individuals.

Cultural Significance

Used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for wound healing and tissue repair.

Health Concerns

Can carry disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella; feces and body parts may trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

Collecting Methods

  • Traps
  • Baiting strategies
  • Sticky traps

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol dehydration
  • Freezing

Evolution

Believed to have been introduced to the Americas through human commercial patterns, particularly during the Atlantic slave trade.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Commonly misidentified as a palmetto bug; often referred to as a waterbug, despite not being aquatic.

Tags

  • American Cockroach
  • Periplaneta americana
  • pest management