Asian Cockroach: New Pest in Urban Environments ANR-1322
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AL A B A M A A & M A N D A U B U R N U NIVERSITIES Asian Cockroach: New Pest in Urban Environments ANR-1322 he Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai case or ootheca (Figure 2). Female Asian cockroaches Mizukubo, was first described in 1981 from have wings that extend to cover the entire length samples collected in Okinawa, Japan. In 1986, of the ootheca; female German cockroaches have T wings that extend to cover only half the length of the the Asian cockroach was introduced into the United ootheca. Male cockroaches can only be distinguished, States in central Florida, presumably entering from with aid of microscope, by the shape their tergal the Port of Tampa. In 2003, the Asian cockroach was glands on the eighth abdominal segment (Figure 3). discovered in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, and by 2005, large populations were found in Baldwin, Biological Characteristics Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Although Asian cockroaches are very similar counties. This small outdoor cockroach closely to German cockroaches in appearance, they have resembles its nearest relative, the common German unique behavioral patterns and live in a different cockroach, Blattella germanica (L), and is sometimes habitat. Asian cockroaches live outdoors in moist found in homes. Proper identification of this species shady leaf litter and grassy areas (Figure 4). They are is critical so that targeted control measures can be not aggressively active during the day, but when leaf implemented successfully. litter is disturbed, adult Asian cockroaches will fly to escape. They are very strong flyers and can fly as far Identification as 120 feet. Asian cockroaches become active at dusk. They The Asian cockroach is practically identical in are attracted to light and usually invade homes by appearance to the common German cockroach in entering around doors and windows. Once inside a both size and coloration (Figure 1). Adults of both home, they fly toTV sets, reading lamps, and other species are up to approximately 5/8 inch long and bright lights. Asian cockroaches are omnivorous and 3/16 inch wide. Both species are tan to brown in will eat pet food, seeds, flowers, and even pet feces. color, with prominent dark stripes just behind the In the winter, Asian cockroaches survive by head. Even experts have difficulty determining burrowing into leaf litter and soil. In the spring, they whether a dead specimen is Asian or German. begin to emerge, and their numbers build into large However, adult females can be visually differentiated populations. Asian cockroach populations can reach during reproduction periods when they carry the egg 30,000 to 240,000 cockroaches per acre. In contrast, German cockroaches live strictly inside homes. They flee from sources of light, and though adult German cockroaches have fully developed wings, they do not fly. Figure 1. Comparison of male Asian (left) and German ARCHIVEcockroaches (right) www.aces.edu Economic Importance Management Asian cockroaches have the ability to build up Asian cockroaches are often mistaken for German large populations around homes, where they can cockroaches, and control measures are applied inside become a nuisance both outside and inside. Research the home but not outside where Asian cockroaches has shown that German cockroaches physically live. Because Asian cockroaches live outdoors, transmit a plethora of pathogens. Asian cockroaches management practices need to target leaf litter and live outdoors and have opportunities to come into mulch. It is imperative that cockroaches be identified contact with animal feces, soilborne fungi, and other correctly so that control and management practices pathogens. Little research has been conducted on can be applied in the correct locations. Asian Asian cockroaches, and it is not known if they transmit cockroaches are easily controlled with most diseases or have allergens like German cockroaches; pesticides; in contrast, German cockroaches are however, there is concern about the potential for Asian notorious for resistance to many classes of insecticides. cockroaches to physically transmit pathogens onto food items or food preparation surfaces. Figure 2. Comparison of female Asian (left) and German (right) cockroaches Figure 3. Comparison of the male tergal glands between Figure 4. Typical area with leaf litter where Asian Asian cockroach (top) and German cockroach (below) cockroaches may be foundARCHIVE Edward T. Snoddy, Ph.D. Student; Xing Ping Hu, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor; Arthur G. Appel, Professor, all in Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county’s name to find the number. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. ANR-1322 3.5M, New Feb 2008, ANR-1322 © 2008 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved..