Most recently reviewed by: Wizzie Brown (2020)
Common Name(s): Asian cockroach
Description
These roaches are similar in size, shape and color to German cockroaches.
Egg cases (oothecae) are light brown, elongated and purse-like in shape. They can hold up to around 40 eggs each.
Nymphs, when small, are wingless and dark brown with light markings towards the center of the body. Older nymphal stages are still dark with light stripe coloration towards the center of the body, but are developing wings.
Adults are brown to tan, 5/8 inch long and 3/16 inch wide. Two dark bands run lengthwise on the head shield (pronotum). Asian cockroach adults have wings that are more narrow and longer than German cockroach wings. Both Asian and German adult females carry their egg case (ootheca). While Asian cockroaches have wings completely covering the egg case, German cockroach wings only cover half of the egg case. Asian cockroach adults are good fliers and live outdoors but can enter structures.
Nymphs
Egg cases (oothecae) are light brown, elongated and purse-like in shape. They can hold up to around 40 eggs each.
Origin and Distribution
Outdoors, they are found in grassy areas, mulch and leaf litter and in shady areas of gardens, pastures, dense ground cover, etc. They become active at dusk. Adults are very active in the grass and mulch, climbing to the tips of grass and other plants to take flight. They are attracted to lights and may congregate in large numbers on light colored surfaces in brightly lit areas. Asian cockroaches may enter structures and can become established indoors if there is an opening near a light source in the early evening hours. Found in the southeast U.S.
Habitat & Hosts
Low, weedy vegetation and are able to fly.
Life Cycle
Incomplete life cycle: egg- nymph- adult
Management
If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options.Management programs should focus on keeping the cockroaches outdoors by excluding structures so the cockroaches cannot enter. Make sure that doors and windows have a good seal, screens are in good repair, vents into the attic are covered with mesh screening, weep holes are stuffed with copper mesh, all cracks and crevices and pipe/ wire penetrations are sealed with sealant. If possible, turn lights off at night. If this is not possible, direct lighting away from the structure/ doors/ windows or used bulbs that are not as attractive to insects. Pesticide treatments should focus around doors and windows as well as the perimeter of the structure.
