The German cockroach is by far the most important and usually the most common of all cockroach species. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and asthma, and is worldwide in distribution.
Adults range between 1/2" and 5/8" long. They are light brown to tan in color with 2 dark, almost parallel stripes on the pronotum (shield) running lengthwise on the body (rather than across the body). The abdomen is covered by wings; however, this cockroach rarely flies.
Nymphs are wingless, smaller than adults, usually darker in color but with stripes similar to those on the adult pronotum. The egg capsule (ootheca) is yellowish brown, although the end attached to the female is usually paler in color. The capsule is 1/4"-3/8" long, slightly arched, with distinct separations between eggs which are enclosed. Each capsule has about 15-20 eggs on each side (total 30-40 average per capsule).
The female German cockroach carries the egg capsule until it is ready to hatch. Within about one day of hatching, she deposits the egg capsule in a protected site. The female may produce a total of 4-8 egg capsules during her life, averaging 30-40 offspring per capsule. Developmental time from egg to adult may be as little as 2-3 months. Adults can live from 100-200 days, producing up to 6 generations per year. Established German cockroach populations are typically composed of about 75% nymphs.
German cockroaches are found throughout structures but prefer warm and humid places. They are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms, but may also be found where people eat food and drink. Any crack or crevice located near a food or water source is prime harborage. German cockroaches will spend about 75% of their time hidden in these harborage areas. The smallest nymphs require cracks about 1/32" while the adult requires about 3/16".
German cockroaches feed on anything that has nutritive value including all kinds of human food sources as well as soap, glue or toothpaste. They are commonly introduced into buildings through transfer of paper products, grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons, and via secondhand appliances and furniture. They seldom live or travel outdoors.
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