Florida Woods Cockroach

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eurycotis floridana: /ˌjʊərɪˈkoʊtɪs flɔˈraɪdənə/

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Summary

Eurycotis floridana, or the Florida woods cockroach, is a large, dark cockroach known for its foul-smelling defense and preference for moist environments, primarily found in Florida and the West Indies.

Physical Characteristics

Adults typically range from 24-50 mm in length, large, red-brown to almost black, broader than most roaches, often with yellow markings along the edge of the thorax. Tegmina are short and rectangular, touching at the midline, and do not extend beyond the mesonotum. Nymphs have pale lateral stripes. The ootheca is dark brown, 14–16 mm long, and contains 21-23 eggs.

Identification Tips

Adults have a rectangular shape of tegmina that touch at the midline. Nymphs can be identified by their pale lateral stripes, while the ootheca is more rectangular compared to most common species, particularly the Oriental cockroach.

Habitat

Prefers damp locations with abundant moisture, found in humid, subtropical or tropical climates, such as under leaf litter, in tree holes, under lumber, and in sheltered outdoor areas. It can also wander indoors into damp locations.

Distribution

Native to Florida and the West Indies; reported in coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, south Texas, and southeast North Carolina. Not established in Canada except in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

Life Cycle

Males can mate about 18 days after maturation, while females produce oothecae about every 8 days starting 55 days after maturation. Oothecae hatch in 50 days at warm temperatures (30–36 °C).

Reproduction

Males can mate approximately 18 days post-maturation; females produce oothecae every 8 days starting around 55 days after maturation. Parthenogenesis can occur, resulting in nymphal clones that do not mature to adulthood.

Predators

Birds and Peromyscus species (mice) have been observed predating on this cockroach, although they may develop avoidance strategies against its chemical defenses.

Ecosystem Role

As a part of the leaf litter and wood decomposition community, it contributes to nutrient cycling in its habitat. Its chemical defenses may influence predator behavior.

Cultural Significance

Known by various names, including skunk roach and palmetto bug, due to its foul defense mechanism and association with palmetto trees in Florida.

Health Concerns

The foul-smelling secretion emitted by adults can irritate human eyes. Chemical defenses are toxic to cockroaches in confined containers.

Collecting Methods

• Traps in damp locations
• Observation on palmetto trees

Preservation Methods

• Dried specimens in entomological pins
• Preserved in ethanol for study

Similar Taxa

• Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
• American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

Misconceptions

Often confused with other cockroach species like the American cockroach; not as significant a pest indoors despite common names suggesting otherwise.

Tags

• Eurycotis floridana
• Florida woods cockroach
• skunk roach
• palmetto bug
• Blattidae
• insecta