German Cockroach
Classification
Species category: Cockroach
Scientific name: Blattella germanica
Family: Blatellidae
Description
A smaller species of cockroach, it typically measures13-16mm in length when it reaches adulthood. It isidentified by two distinct dark brown strips runningdown the outside edge of the pronotum. This species isa light tan brown to dark brown colour. Originatingfrom tropical Africa, the German cockroach now has aworld-wide distribution. It prefers a warm, humid, dark and well hiddenenvironment and is found more often in sewers. It istypically also found in drains, ducts, in other underground structures, and in boats. As it feeds on a large variety of foodstuffs, it is also commonly discovered wherever food is storedand prepared. Although the main harbourages are outdoors, this cockroach will forage into theinhabited parts of buildings along ducts, services and crevices.
Behavior
It moves with speed and equally well on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Typically, it is fasterthan other cockroach species. They tend to more successfully inhabit buildings over other species. There are a number of factorswhich contribute to this. A shorter life cycle, coupled with an ability to constantly reproduce,accelerates population growth. German cockroaches are also faster and smaller than other speciesmaking detection even harder.
Risks
In the course of their foraging activity, the nymphs, larvae and adults can contaminate and infectfoodstuffs. They secrete an odorous discharge from their body which also taints and contaminatesfood. Like other cockroach species, the German Cockroach transmits bacteria as they walk, transferringpathogens such as salmonella and e.coli to every area they scurry across.