COCKROACH IDENTIFICATION
This Identification Key is to help identify the proper species of cockroaches that may your are dealing with. Identification is the first step in proper cockroach management. It will determine primary habits and food preferences, thereby helping you to eliminate or prevent them. There are six different species covered here. They are the most common found within structures. If you are having a problem with others, just ask the Pestdude .
ADULT SIZE: 1/2 to 5/8 inches ADULT COLOR: Pale to medium brown with two dark stripes on the pronotum.
NYMPH: Darker in color, sometime nearly black, with a single white stripe down the middle of the back.
OOTHECA: The females carry the ootheca protruding from the rear of the abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. The German cockroach is the only species that will carry the egg sack for such an extended period of time. The ootheca is slender, about 1/3 inch in size, and tan in color.
ADULT SIZE: 1.5 inches or more (the largest of the common species) ADULT COLOR: Reddish brown, with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum.
NYMPH: Grayish brown but eventually turning more reddish brown after several molts.
OOTHECA: The females drop their ootheca within a few days after formation. They are formed at a rate of about one per week.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Both males and females are fully winged.
ADULT SIZE: 1.25 inches for females and one inch for males
ADULT COLOR: Very dark brown or nearly black with a somewhat greasy sheen to their body.
NYMPH: Similar in color to adult but with no wings
OOTHECA: Dropped by the female within 30 hours of formation
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: The female has small, non-functioning wings called wingpads. The male has wings about 3/4 the length of his body.
ADULT SIZE: 1/2 inch or lessADULT COLOR: Light brown with two lighter, transverse bands running from one side to the other across the base of the wings and abdomen.
NYMPH: Similar in color and markings, with the bands more prominent.
OOTHECA: The female carries the ootheca for a day or two after formation. It is purse shaped, light brown in color, and cemented in place.
ADULT SIZE: Approximately one inch
ADULT COLOR: Uniform mahogany brown.
NYMPH: Young nymphs have long antennae which are white tipped.
OOTHECA: Dark brown to black in color. They are usually attached to an object.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Both males and females have wings longer than their bodies.
ADULT SIZE: Usually not more than 2/3 inch in size.
ADULT COLOR: Dark brown with the sides of the thorax and the front half of the wings margined in yellow.
NYMPH: There is no difference in coloration and markings.
OOTHECA: Found usually behind the loose bark of dead trees, stumps, or logs.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Males' wings are longer than the body, while those of the females are only 1/3 to 2/3 the length of the body. The males are strong fliers. The females do not fly.