Brownbanded Cockroach

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 apparently is of African origin and presumably was introduced from Cuba into Florida about 1903. It now occurs throughout the United States.

Recognition

Adults are about 1/2 inch long. Color light brown to brown with females much darker than males; head brown, pronotal shield with brown Liberty-bell pattern formed by translucent lateral margins or sides, and wings darker at base but paler towards their tip, with exception of pale abdomen much broader and more round, and females' wings do not completely cover the abdomen as they do in males. Males readily fly, but females cannot fly.

Nymphal instars one to two with thorax dark brown to black, but having pale lateral margins, mesothorax with white central area, metothorax pale/white its entire width or at least on its posterior half, abdomen with white central area; thorax and abdomen pale or white ventrally. Later instars (3rd on) with pronotum having a dark Liberty-bell-shaped pattern formed by pale/clear lateral margins, meso- and metothorax mostly white but white areas of mesothorax usually divided by dark posterior and sublateral margins; abdomen with first segment dark, next four segments dark laterally on dorsum.

Habits