Cockroaches

American cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Size: 3.5 cm to 4 cm. long in its adult phaseLocation: Mediterranean coast (Alicante, Valencia, Murcia)Color: reddish brown to dark brown (except for a tan or light yellow band around the shield, behind the head)Common name: sewer cockroach or large flying cockroach.

The origin of the American cockroach is probably tropical African, where it lives both inside and outside of buildings and houses. Adult males and females can fly easily, especially in warm environments. The ability of the adult female to survive 90 days on water and without food, the deposition of oothecae, and prolonged periods of nymphal development probably contributed to its spread in maritime trade before the age of steamships. The American cockroach is widespread worldwide and is an important pest in warm areas such as the Mediterranean coast (Alicante, Valencia, Murcia).

In indoor areas, American cockroaches inhabit food preparation and storage areas, but they are not as common as German cockroaches. In buildings, they are found around pipes, downspouts and heating, always related to high temperatures and humidity. Outdoors, American cockroaches frequent palm trees and vegetation around structures and buildings. They are closely associated with cesspools, sewers and landfills, increasing the likelihood that they will transmit pathogens to humans. On the Mediterranean coast such as Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, it is very common to find them in sewage systems.

German cockroach

Germanic Blatella

Size: 1.2cm to 1.6cm. in length in its adult phase.Location: private homes and restaurant establishments.Color: light brown or honey, with two dark bands on the upper part.Common name: small or bar cockroach.

Se cree que su origen es de África, la cucaracha alemana probablemente se extendió desde un área en el este y sureste de Asia. Ahora es una plaga de cucarachas extendida en todo el mundo. Su expansión se ve favorecida con la globalización, transporte de mercancía y viajes de personas, el comercio y el entorno urbano. Uno de los principales factores que contribuyen a su rápida propagación e importancia como plaga de interiores en todo el mundo, es la llegada y el uso de los aparatos de calefacción y refrigeración en los edificios y de los electrodomésticos en las cocinas.

La cucaracha alemana es la principal plaga en los restaurantes y bares con fuentes de calor como neveras, congeladores y cámaras frigoríficas.

oriental cockroach

Leaf orientalis

Size: 2cm to 2.6cm. long in its adult phase.Color: dark brown to shiny black.Common name: black cockroach.

The eastern cockroach is probably native to North Africa, inhabiting climates that combine the heat of summer and moderate winter temperatures. Oriental cockroaches are a pest found throughout Europe. Their favorite hiding places are structures such as the cellar, boiler room and heating ducts.

Oriental cockroaches usually stay close to their shelters. Nymphs are more likely to initiate a search toward new shelters, depending on distance. Increasing temperature (29 and 38 ° C) and relative humidity between 48% and 70% decreases activity and increases the radius of movement.

Brown banded cockroach

Supella Longipalpa

Size: Adult males can grow up to 1.2 cm. Females are smaller and wider. Color: light brown with two brown bands crossing the body.

La cucaracha de banda marrón es una plaga ocasional en interiores, especialmente en estructuras con calefacción tales como instalaciones de cría de animales (granjas), apartamentos y casas en las que las temperaturas son más altas de lo normal.

Little research has been done on this species, partly because it is infrequently found.