Public Health Entomology Certificate MODULE 5 COCK ROACHES

Cockroaches PAGES 118 -123 OF IPM FOR THE URBAN PROFESSIONAL CHAPTER 15 MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY FOR STUDENTS

Cockroaches Order Blattodea ◦ Not eusocial insects ◦ “Aggregate” where they share food and digestive fluids ◦ 4500 species worldwide ◦ The most important medically int US ◦ ◦ Blattella germanica –German cockroaches Blatta orientalis – Oriental cockroaches Periplaneta Americana – American cockroaches Supella longipalpa – brown-banded cockroach Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood. org

PHE and Medical Importance of Cockroaches Aid in mechanical transmission of various pathogenic viruses, bacteria and protozoans Disease pathogens ◦ ◦ Food poisoning Wound infection Respiratory infection Dysentery Allergens ◦ Leading asthma trigger among inner city youth ◦ Exuvia (skin casting) Photos: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood. org

Cockroach Morphology Flattened dorsally Smooth shiny exoskeleton Long filiform antennae Chewing mouthparts Two pairs of wings but they rarely fly ◦ some don’t fly at all ( German cockroaches) They like warmth Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood. org

Cockroach life cycle Incomplete metamorphosis 5 -7 nymphal stages dependent on species

Egg Cases Egg case called an ootheca Varies dependent on species Can have 5 -50 eggs ◦ But typically yields 12 -40 offspring German cockroach ootheca Photo: Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood. org American cockroach ootheca Photo: Joseph La. Forest, University of Georgia, Bugwood. org

Cockroach Behavior Sometimes identification can be made by behavior ◦ Species that are difficult to distinguish ◦ German cockroach's vs Asian Cockroach ◦ German lives indoors ◦ Asian lives outdoors German Asian

Cockroach family Blattellidae Blattella germanica ◦ German cockroach Blattella vaga* ◦ Field cockroach Blattella asahinai* ◦ Asian cockroach Supella longipalpa Photo by M. Merchant ◦ Brown-banded cockroach * Confused with German cockroaches Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood. org

German cockroach ½ - 5/8 “ long (13 -16 mm) High reproductive rate ◦ 30 -40 eggs/ootheca ◦ 2 months from egg to adult Do not fly Found indoors in warm, moist areas in kitchens and bathrooms Photo: Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood. org

German cockroach nymphs 5 -6 molts to reach adulthood Early instars remain close to crevices Feeds on feces of older cockroaches (coprophagy) Photos by M. Merchant early instar nymph late instar nymph

Brown-banded cockroach Supella longipalpa 1/2” long (11 -14 mm) Moderate reproductive rate ◦ 3 -9 months from egg to adult ◦ 14 -18 eggs per ootheca Female glues egg capsule to ceilings, beneath furniture Adults do not fly Found indoors throughout house, especially warmer sites

Cockroach Family Blattidae Peridomestic cockroaches ◦ “Live around humans and their dwellings” ◦ ◦ Blatta orientalis -- Oriental cockroach Blatta (Shelfordella) lateralis – Turkestan cockroach Periplaneta americana -- American cockroach Periplaneta fuliginosa – Smokybrown cockroach

Blattidae vs. Blatellidae Photo: University of Nebraska

Cockroach Egg Capsules Comparison Photo: University of Nebraska

Smokybrown Cockroach

Smokybrown Cockroach Periplaneta fuliginosa 1 ¾ “ long, uniform dark brown (white banding in 1 st instar nymph) 1 st instar nymph Slow reproduction ◦ 20 -28 eggs/ootheca ◦ 12 months from egg to adult Principally outdoor habitats ◦ woodpiles, trees, attics and soffits

Oriental Cockroach

Oriental Cockroach Blatta orientalis 1 ¼ ” long Dark red brown to black, short wings Slower reproduction ◦ 16 eggs/ootheca ◦ 1 -2 years from egg to adult Cooler sites close to ground ◦ basements ◦ sewers ◦ crawl spaces Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood. org

American Cockroach

American Cockroach Periplaneta americana 1 ¾ “ long, reddish brown with pale edge on pronotum Slower reproduction ◦ 14 eggs/ootheca ◦ 9 -24 months from egg to adult Sewers, basements, furnace rooms, attics ◦ Northern areas found in sewers ◦ Southern areas found outside Strong fliers Photo: Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood. org

Turkestan cockroach 1. 2 in long (3 cm) Sexually dimorphic ◦ Males reddish brown with crèmecolored wing bar and incomplete ring around pronotum ◦ Females blackish with crèmecolored wing bar, vestigial wings Emerging pest ◦ Mostly SW US, competes with Oriental cockroach

Most Common Breeding Sites for Cockroaches German: Kitchen & Bathroom Asian: Outdoor leaf litter Brown-banded: Throughout home Oriental: Basements American: Sewers, wall voids attics Smokybrown: Tree holes and palm trees Photos: Sylvia Kenmuir

Cockroach Control Strategies varies by species May include baits, dust and sprays See page 121 of the IPM for the Urban Professional for specific IPM program steps Photo: Daniel R. Suiter, University of Georgia, Bugwood. org

Further Study Information Mallis Handbook of Pest Control NPMA Field guide Medical Entomology for Students