Hobbies And Interests
American Cockroach
American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) grows approximately 2 inches in length, and is the largest species of cockroach that infests residential buildings. These reddish-brown, winged insects prefer moist areas and warm temperatures of more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. American cockroaches live in a variety of structures ranging from basements to crawl spaces, and are fond of sewers. They feed on diverse animal and plant matter, and produce an average of 150 eggs in a lifetime.
German Cockroach
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are the most common species found in restaurants and houses, and grow up to 5/8 inches in length. Adults are light brown with a striped head shield. German cockroaches are scavengers that eat food of all varieties. They are found in diverse building locations including baseboard moldings, clocks and under appliances. German cockroaches lay up to 240 eggs within their life span.
Asian Cockroach
Asian cockroaches (Blattella asahinai Mizukubo) look almost identical to German cockroaches, with their behavior primarily being the distinguishing characteristic. Unlike German roaches, Asian cockroaches are accomplished flyers that can sustain flight distances of 150 feet. Also, Asian cockroaches prefer outdoor habitats among leaves and grass. They occur in homes by accident, because of their attraction to the light reflected from windows and light-colored doorways or walls. These flying roaches can produce approximately 170 eggs in a lifetime.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) are indigenous to and distributed in Madagascar. Growing up to 3 inches in length, these herbivores live on forest grounds, feeding off of plant and fruit materials. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are the only species of insect in the world that are known to render a hissing sound. Hissing is common during mating rituals, aggressive encounters and as danger alerts. They are wingless, shiny, chocolate-brown roaches whose males have large head horns. Madagascar hissing cockroaches can lay more than 700 eggs in their lifespan.
Oriental cockroach
Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis) prefer to inhabit the outdoors, and inadvertently enter buildings via sewer lines. These dark brown scavengers consume anything, often feeding on garbage, though they have an affinity for starches. Oriental cockroaches grow up to 1 inch in length and produce an average of 125 eggs in a lifetime.