INTRODUCTION
Brownbanded cockroaches get their common name from the pale brown bands
which run across the wings of the adult, but more appropriately, from the pale brown bands
which run across the body of the nymph. This species is apparently of African origin and
was presumably introduced from Cuba into Florida about 1903. It now occurs throughout the
United States.
RECOGNITION
Adults about 1/2" (male 13-14.5 mm; female 11-12 mm) long.
Color light brown to brown with females much darker than males; head brown, pronotal
shield with brown liberty-bell shaped pattern formed by translucent lateral margins or
sides, and wings darker at base but paler towards their tips with exception of a
pate band at their base and another about 1/3 from base. Female darker than male, her
abdomen much broader and more rounded, and her wings do not completely cover the
abdomen as they do in males. Males readily fly, but females cannot fly.
Nymphal instars 1-2 with thorax dark brown to black, but
having pale lateral margins, mesothorax with white central area, metathorax pale/white its
entire width or at least on its posterior half, abdomen with white central area; thorax
and abdomen pale/white ventrally. Later instars (3rd on) with pronotum having a dark
liberty-bell shaped pattern formed by pale/clear lateral margins, meso- and metathorax
mostly white but white areas of mesothorax usually divided by dark posterior and
sublateral margins; abdomen with lst segment dark, next 4 segments dark laterally on
dorsum.
Ootheca or egg capsule light brown; length about 1/4" (5
mm) or less, with length less than twice width; subdivisional furrows extending entire
width; bottom straight, top slightly bowed or arched; and with 8-1 0 subsegments but only
7-9 eggs on each side.
SIMILAR GROUPS
(Adults only)
- German cockroach (Blattelia germanica), Asian cockroach
(B. asahinai), and field cockroach (B. vaga) have 2 dark longitudinal
stripes on pronotal shield.
- Pennsylvania wood cockroach (Parcoblatta pensylvanica) lacks
dark liberty-bell shaped pattern on pronotal shield and cross bands on wings.
- Other cockroaches are either smaller or larger, lack
characteristic pronotal and wing color patterns, and/or are not associated with
structures.
BIOLOGY
The female carries the ootheca for 24-36 hours and then attaches it, usually to the
side or undersurface of shelves, furniture, etc. On the average, the female will produce
about 14 egg capsules with each containing about 14-18 eggs (range 10-18), with an average
hatch of 13-14 per egg capsule.
Developmental time (egg to adult) is greatly influenced by
temperature, varying from 90-276 days but averaging about 161 days. Adults live about 206
days (range 131-315).
HABITS
Brownbanded cockroaches are found throughout structures but show a preference for
warmer areas, over 80'F (27'C). Be sure to check ceilings, anything high on walls such as
picture frames and wall molding, near appliance motors, and in light switches, closets,
and furniture.
