Order Blattodea
COMMON NAME: COCKROACHES and Termites
Cockroaches
The cockroaches are fairly large, oval, flattened insects with long antennae. Legs are long and slender and adapted for running. They have chewing mouthparts. Wings can be well developed, short or lacking. If winged, forewings are leathery while the hindwings are membranous. Metamorphosis is gradual, the life stages being the egg, nymph, and adult. Many live outdoors, but some species have adapted to live indoors and are considered to be serious household pests.
Examples
Family Blattidae Periplaneta americana - American Cockroach Size: 1 1/2-2" (38-51mm) Habitat: Common pest in restaurants, grocery stores and hotels. |
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Family Blattellidae Blatella germanica (Linnaeus) - German Cockroach Size: 5/8" (16mm) Habitat: Most common roach in homes and apartment buildings. |
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Family Blattellidae Supella longipalpa (Fabricus) - Brown Banded Cockroach Size: 1/2" (12 mm) Habitat: Prefers kitchens and bathrooms in homes. |
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**most of the images included in these pages are from the 'Insects in Kansas' Book. They are freely available for student and noncommercial use (according to their copyright agreement with each photographer) at the PDIS image site, http://www.pdis.org/default.aspxx |
For additional information on cockroaches, check out the following:
- Cockroaches - an Extension Publication
- http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/kunkel/cockroach.html