American cockroach (Palmetto bug)

Periplaneta americana

Appearance

• 1"-1 7/8" long.
• Shining red–brown in color.
• Wings longer than the body in male; only just overlap abdomen in female.
• Runs (may fly at very high temperatures).
• Also sometimes known as 'Waterbug'

Lifecycle

• The ootheca (egg case) containing 6 – 28 eggs is carried by the female for several days before being deposited. Sometimes cemented down and tend to be grouped.
• Hatch in 1 – 2 months.
• Nymphs usually develop in 5 months, but it can take up to 15 months.

Habits

• Principally inside buildings, drains, basements, pipe ducts and risers.
• Nocturnal.
• Omnivorous.