Wood Cockroach
Contact: Eric Day, Manager, Insect Identification Laboratory
August 1996
Wood Cockroach
Size
1/2 to 3/4 inch (12.7-19.1mm)
Color
Brown
Description
The adults of this cockroach are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, brown, and the outer edges of the wings are
pale. The adult cockroaches are capable flyers, and they frequently
fly to lights at night-especially the warm nights of early spring
and fall.
Habitat
The wood cockroach lives outdoors in the leaf litter
and debris of wooded areas. The adult cockroaches are active during
the spring and fall, and are frequently found in houses at this
time. In the spring these insects are probably attracted to outside
lights at night. In the fall the adults are probably brought into
the house with firewood.
Life Cycle
Females deposit egg cases outdoors under bark of
old logs and stumps. Females produce about 30 capsules containing
up to 32 eggs each. The egg incubation period is about one month,
with nymphs hatching in the summer, overwintering and maturing
the following spring. In some cases the life cycle takes about
two years.
Type of Damage
Do not infest houses-they are simply casual or
accidental invaders.
Control
Control of these infrequent cockroaches can be achieved
with a fly swatter or a nudge out the door! An aerosol insecticide
can be used if considered necessary. This insect will not take
up residence in structures, so chemical control is usually not
necessary.
Interesting Facts
Only a few of the thousands of species of
cockroaches are pests in the houses and other structures of man.
Most cockroaches live outdoors and are rarely seen by homeowners,
except for the wood roach!