Hobbies And Interests
Description
The smoky brown cockroach has the scientific name Periplaneta fuliginosa. The genus name "Periplaneta" comes from the Latin for "roaming around," while the species name "fuliginosa" means "sooty" or "dusky." The smoky brown cockroach is closely related to the American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana, but is darker in color and has a glossy surface.
The smoky brown cockroach is very common in China and southern Japan, as well as in tropical climates throughout the world, including the southern United States. It enjoys humid environments and is therefore common in Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
Habitat
The smoky brown cockroach is nocturnal and commonly lives outdoors. It is a scavenger, like most species of cockroaches, and can often be found feeding on plants and on dead organic matter. It also enjoys mulch, yard debris and other vegetation, as well as wood piles, compost and the spaces inside dead and decaying trees. Therefore, it is particularly prevalent in greenhouses and nurseries. In addition, it often invades attics, crawl spaces and garages, where conditions are similar to its favored outdoor environments.
Reproduction
The smoky brown cockroach has a large brown egg case (also called an ootheca), about 1/2 inch long, that contains approximately two dozen eggs, which will hatch in about 45 days. The female glues the egg case into crevices and cracks where it can mature without interference. Once hatched, the nymphs take between six and 12 months to develop to adulthood.
Control
Because it is an outdoor species, the smoky brown cockroach is most easy to control by applying insecticides to its common habitats, such as mulch and wood piles. It is also a good idea to use insecticides on foundation plantings to prevent it from gaining a foothold inside buildings. Barrier sprays work well, as well as dustings of crawl spaces, sewage lines, trash chutes and other areas that provide entry into the building. Loose baits also work well in basements and crawl spaces.