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Oriental Cockroach

Blatta orientalis
Blatta orientalis
Did you know that… ?
  • …tropical species of cockroach can grow up to 12 centimeters long and make hissing noises?
  • …the first cockroaches appeared on Earth during the Carboniferous, 360-300 million years ago?
  • …female Oriental cockroaches have only wing stubs, while males have wings as long as their body?
  • …although males have wings, they can fly a maximum of only two meters?
  • …before mating, cockroaches perform lengthy mating dances?
  • …Oriental cockroaches probably actually originated in Africa?
  • …cockroaches can live several weeks without their head, until they die of starvation?
Blatta orientalis by Slovenian Museum of Natural History
General info
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Size: 2.5-3.5 cm
Food: omnivore
Habitat: pantries, kitchens
Distribution: worldwide
Relationship with humans: pest
Biology

Cockroaches are unwanted guests in homes, generally living undisturbed and with plenty of food. They are found most commonly in damp and filthy dwellings, in which they can multiply enormously. Cockroaches are omnivores, but prefer plant material containing starch or other sugars. When coming in contact with food, they can transfer various disease organisms. The female produces up to eighteen egg cases about once per month, each containing around fourteen eggs. The nymphs hatch after roughly two months and take approximately a year to mature. In nature, cockroaches are scavengers, consuming various sorts of debris and rotting organic material.