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Latin Name: Blattella germanica
Common Name: German Cockroach
Latin Family Name: Blattellidae
Other Names: Steam fly, water bug
Pest Details
Origin:
Apparently the German roach originated in Africa, but was transported through early commerce to Europe and now is found throughout the world.
Biology:
The German roach is a nocturnal animal, strongly avoids light, cannot fly, and in almost all situations will be found indoors. Infestations normally begin by the introduction of roaches in packages. The biological potential of this species is enormous, with females producing an average of 5 egg capsules in their lifetime, each with an average of 30 eggs in it. The time from egg to mature adult averages about 3 months, allowing 4 generations of the insects each year. Female adult roaches live for about 200 days. Females carry the egg capsule until one day before the eggs are to hatch, providing necessary
Latin Name: Rhyparobia maderae
Common Name: Madeira Cockroach
Latin Family Name: Blaberidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Possibly West African in origin, it is found in South America and the West Indies, in the Mediterranean area, and southern Africa. In the U.S. it is found in Hawaii and in areas of New York with heavy immigrant populations. It has been found in California, probably as a transient carried on vehicles, and is frequently intercepted on marine vessels at seaports.
Biology:
This is a tropical species that requires high temperatures and high humidity, but it has adapted to similar conditions that it has found within buildings. Food preferences are fruit such as bananas, and as a long-lived roach species the Madeira roach is often reared in laboratories and used in animal studies. The adults are slow in their walking movements, but are able to fly rapidly. When disturbed they immediately give
Latin Name: Blatta orientalis
Common Name: Oriental Cockroach
Latin Family Name: Blattidae
Other Names: Water bug, water beetle, shad roach, black beetle
Pest Details
Origin:
Believed to have originated in Africa, but now found throughout the world.
Biology:
Oriental roaches inhabit damp locations such as crawl spaces under structures or underground water and sewage systems. Their travel through such unsanitary habitats increases their potential as disease vectors. It may be common in outdoor environments and enter a structure on its own, by crawling under doors or through other exterior openings. Females carry their egg capsules for about one day, and then deposits the capsule in a secluded place. Each capsule has an average of 15 eggs, and the development from egg to mature adult takes about one year, although in some circumstances it has been observed to take about 2.5 years. The insects are nocturnal,
Latin Name: Periplaneta fuliginosa
Common Name: Smokybrown Cockroach
Latin Family Name: Blattidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Possibly native to Asia, but currently found in the United States from Florida west to Texas and north to North Carolina. They also occur occasionally in California, from the Los Angeles area north to at least Sacramento.
Biology:
This species is a common outdoor cockroach, hiding under vegetation and yard debris, heavy mulch layers and thick leaf litter. They are extremely common in Texas and Louisiana and become a severe pest problem indoors there as well. They are nocturnal in habit, and as omnivores they will feed on many starchy or protein materials. The egg capsule contains around 24 eggs and it is glued to a surface by the female, usually in corners or cracks where it is somewhat hidden. The eggs hatch in about 45 days, and it takes about 200 days for the nymphs
Latin Name: Pycnoscelus surinamensis
Common Name: Surinam Cockroach
Latin Family Name: Blaberidae
Other Names: Bi-colored cockroach
Pest Details
Origin:
Not mentioned, but it is found throughout the world in tropical and humid environments, and in the U.S. it is found as a resident from Texas to Florida, as well as occurring occasionally in many other states from coast to coast.
Biology:
This cockroach is commonly found hiding in the soil of potted plants or interiorscapes, although it also hides in other cracks and crevices around such areas, such as under boards. It feeds on foliage and fruit, and can cause extensive damage to commercial flowers in greenhouses. It also can be found outside structures in humid, warm areas of the country. In the U.S. this species appears to be parthenogenetic, with only females found, while in Asia reproduction is from fertilization by males. The female retains the egg capsule
Latin Name: Blatta lateralis
Common Name: Turkestan cockroach
Other Names: Turkistan cockroach (alternate spelling)
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to central and southwest Asia, but now introduced to the southern and southwest United States, where it is commonly encountered in California to Texas. It is possible it was introduced in military equipment returning from activities in the Middle East in the late 1970’s.
Biology:
As do Oriental roaches, Turkestan roaches inhabit damp locations such as crawl spaces under structures, meter boxes, or underground water and sewage systems. Their travel through such unsanitary habitats increases their potential as disease vectors. They may be common in outdoor environments and enter a structure on their own by crawling under doors or through other exterior openings. Females carry the egg capsule for about one day and then deposit it in a secluded place. Each capsule has an average
Latin Name: Parcoblatta sp.
Common Name: Wood Cockroaches
Latin Family Name: Blattellidae
Other Names: Pennsylvania wood cockroach
Pest Details
Origin:
This genus of cockroaches in native to North America, with various species found throughout the entire area. The Pennsylvania wood roach is found east of the Rocky Mountains.
Biology:
These are primarily outdoor insects that commonly enter structures, where they generally will not entrench themselves or breed. Where their numbers are high, as with the Pennsylvania wood roach, they can become a serious nuisance pest indoors, and set up residence in firewood or lumber placed inside. Males can fly and are attracted to light, another reason they may enter structures. These native roaches breed and produce egg capsules in the summer months, with around 30 eggs per capsule. The early nymphs over-winter and adults form in the following spring, possibly taking up to two
Latin Name: Blissus leucopterus
Common Name: Chinch Bug
Latin Family Name: Lygaeidae
Other Names: Cinch bug, Hairy chinch bug (B. hirtus), Southern chinch bug (B. insularis), True chinch bug (B. leucopterus)
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to North America, and identified as a pest of crops as early as 1780. They may have originated in southern, more tropical climates and migrated northward as crops were planted.
Biology:
There are 3 species of very similar chinch bugs in the U.S., all in the genus Blissus. Using their straw-like proboscis they feed on the plant fluids of grasses, including turf, corn, wheat, and other crops. In turf they hide within the thatch and feed most often on the crown of the plant and base of the blades. They undergo simple metamorphosis, with 5 nymph stages. As it feeds the chinch bug injects a chemical into the plant that begins to clog the vascular system of the plant,
Latin Name: Branta canadensis
Common Name: Canada Goose
Latin Family Name: Anatidae
Other Names: Cackling goose, and regional names for each subspecies
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to North America, with breeding populations found in every province of Canada and in all of the continental United States.
Biology:
There are 12 subspecies of the Canada Goose, with a wide variance in size and appearance, with adults ranging from 3 lbs to 11 lbs depending on the subspecies. Problems with geese include safety hazards to aircraft, aggressive geese in public areas, over-grazing of turf near water sites, and the accumulations of their feces on surfaces, lawns, or in drinking water supplies. One goose will produce 1 pound of droppings each day. Adult birds generally migrate hundreds of miles to the south during the winter months, returning in late winter to breeding and “molting” areas to the north. Eggs are laid in the spring
Latin Name: Dendrocopos pubescens
Common Name: Downy Woodpecker
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
This is a native bird in North America and is one of the most common species of woodpecker, ranging from Alaska across southern Canada and throughout all of the U.S.
Biology:
This common bird may be one the woodpeckers seen most often in urban areas, particularly those near hardwood forests and woodlands. It readily visits feeders in home yards. While they will eat some fruit, seeds, and sap from trees their primary food is insects, particularly larvae of beetles under bark. Mating occurs in the spring and a clutch of 4-5 eggs is laid. Hatchlings are mature enough to leave the nest in about 1 month. Damage to structures is possible and usually occurs during mating season in the spring. Holes may be drilled into wood to store acorns or to create a cavity for nesting. Further annoyance comes from “drumming”, a woodpecker’s method for