Eurycotis floridana
(Walker, 1868)
Florida Woods Cockroach, Palmetto Bug, Florida Skunk Roach, Florida Stinkroach, Skunk Cockroach, Skunk Roach, Stinking Cockroach, Stinkroach, Florida Cockroach, Florida Woods Roach
Eurycotis floridana is a large native to Florida, commonly known as the Florida Woods Cockroach or palmetto . measure 30–40 mm in length and possess a distinctive defensive capability: when alarmed, they can eject an extremely foul-smelling directional spray up to one meter, earning them numerous referencing this skunk-like defense. The species has been found to harbor bacteria, an endosymbiont that may provide nutritional benefits. Mating includes and post-copulatory mate guarding by males.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eurycotis floridana: /ˌjʊərɪˈkoʊtɪs flɔˈraɪdənə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other large by its defensive spray capability and association with Florida woodland . The large size (30–40 mm) and specific geographic range help separate it from similar .
Images
Habitat
Woodland and forested in Florida, typically associated with palmetto and other vegetation; often found in outdoor environments rather than indoor dwellings
Distribution
Native to and restricted to Florida, North America; not established as an indoor pest throughout its range
Behavior
When alarmed, eject an extremely foul-smelling directional spray up to one meter as a defense mechanism. Males engage in post-copulatory mate guarding after mating. Mating involves and specific copulation mechanics.
Human Relevance
Occasionally enters human structures but primarily an outdoor ; not considered a major indoor pest like some other species. The defensive spray can be a nuisance when specimens are disturbed near human habitation. Has been studied for endosymbiont relationships as a potential avenue for novel pest management approaches.
Similar Taxa
- Periplaneta americanaSimilar large size but lacks the defensive spray capability and is a indoor pest with different geographic distribution
- Periplaneta fuliginosaSimilar large but does not possess the distinctive foul-smelling defensive spray of E. floridana
More Details
Wolbachia endosymbiont
Eurycotis floridana has been documented to harbor bacteria of the F clade. This endosymbiont may provide nutritional benefits, including biotin production, potentially affecting and development. This relationship has been proposed as a possible target for novel pest management strategies using to deprive infected of these nutritional benefits.
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Periplaneta floridana by Walker in 1868, later transferred to the Eurycotis.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Wolbachia in Cockroaches: A New Paradigm for Urban Pest Management?
- Rediscovery of Cicindela scabrosa floridana | Beetles In The Bush
- Photographing the Newly Rediscovered Cicindelidia floridana | Beetles In The Bush
- The (almost) Florida-endemic Cicindelidia scabrosa | Beetles In The Bush
- Mini-review of the Cicindelidia abdominalis species-group | Beetles In The Bush
- Why I Roamed the Marsh at Night | Beetles In The Bush
- The Mating Behavior of Eurycotis Floridana (Walker)(Blattaria, Blattoidea, Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae)
- The intracellular distribution of sterols in Eurycotis floridana and its possible relation to subcellular membrane structures
- Distribution and dynamic state of sterols and steroids in the tissues of an insect, the roach Eurycotis floridana