American Cockroach

Facts

• Name: Periplaneta americana
• Life cycle: Incomplete metamorphosis.
  Ootheca (egg case): Contains approximately 6–16 eggs, with an incubation period of 5 to 14 weeks.
  Nymphs: Undergo 9–13 moults, typically reaching adulthood within 5 months at temperatures of 25–30°C.
  Adults: Average lifespan of 15 months. Adults are identifiable by the presence of wings.
• Description:
  Adults measure between 28–44 mm in length and are reddish-brown with a pale yellow margin around the pronotum. Nymphs resemble adults but lack wings. Adult males can be distinguished from females by their longer wings, which extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. Females typically produce 10–15 oothecae over a 10-month period. These egg cases harden to a dark brown with distinct dorsal depressions and are cemented to surfaces using chewed materials, placed in optimal environmental conditions for development.
• Habitat:
  While less prevalent in the UK, infestations are most commonly found near ports and in heated environments such as zoo greenhouses and animal houses. Globally, P. americana is a widespread pest, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates.