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From the book: Field Guide to Texas Insects, Drees, B.M. and John Jackman, Copyright 1999, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas
Blattaria are cursorial (adapted for running) and move rapidly. They have flattened bodies and their head is concealed from above by their pronotum. They have two pairs of wings, but in some species the wings are greatly reduced. Cockroaches are somewhat general feeders. They do have a preference for materials high in fats and starches. They deposit their eggs in a capsule called an ootheca. Several species invade homes where they can contaminate food. They have an unpleasant odor and can be very annoying in the home. Cockroaches go through simple metamorphosis.
American Cockroach
This is one of the largest common cockroaches, reaching 1-1/2 to 2 inches. They are reddish-brown in color. The shield portion behind the head (prothorax) has a margin of light brown or yellow.
Habitat, Food Source(s), Damage:
This is generally an outdoor species, living in wood piles, decaying trees, palm trees and in sewer systems. Cockroaches have flattened bodies that allow them to enter homes through cracks around loose-fitting doors and windows, and where electric lines or pipes pass through walls. They are mainly active at night and hide in cracks and crevices during the day, preferring dark moist sites in attics and basements. Cockroaches eat almost anything including meats and grease, starchy foods, sweets, baked goods, leather, wallpaper paste, book bindings and sizing. Adults are capable of gliding flights.
American Cockroach
German Cockroach
The adult German cockroach is about 5/8 inch long, overall light brown in color and wings which cover the abdomen. The thoracic shield just behind the head (pronotum) is marked with two prominent black stripes. Immature stages (nymphs) are smaller, wingless and have a pale stripe (on at least the second and third thoracic segments in first stage nymphs) running lengthwise down the middle of the darker brown body.
Life Cycle:
Simple metamorphosis. Mated females produce an egg capsule that is attached to the end of the abdomen for up to a month before being dropped a day or so before eggs hatch. Each 5/16 inch long, brown egg capsule contains 30 to 40 eggs which hatch in 2 to 4 days after being deposited. Nymphs hatching from eggs are less than 1/8 inch long and wingless. They develop through 6 to 7 stages (instars) over 74 to 85 days (varying with temperature) before becoming adults. There may be four generations per year.
Habitat, Food Source(s), Damage:
This is mainly an indoor species although they will also migrate outdoors from structure to structure. Occasionally, new infestations begin by bringing in cartons and other materials from infested structures that harbor the roaches or their eggs. Kitchens, bathrooms and other locations that provide food, moisture, warmth and shelter are preferred habitats. German cockroaches are mainly active at night, when they search for food and water. During the day, they remain concealed in cracks and crevices unless they are over-crowded, with all developmental stages occurring together. They also can occur in attics, wall voids, crawl spaces, foundation cracks, garbage areas and around the landscape. May spread food contaminants. Some people have allergic reactions to cockroaches or cockroach residues (e.g., feces, body extracts).
German Cockroach
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