The Oriental Cockroach is also referred to as a Black Beetle although it does not belong to the beetle family. They usually gather in large numbers near water bodies like water sumps, toilets, washrooms, storage tanks and bathrooms. They also prefer the outdoors and are found under logs, decayed leaves and stones. They infest homes, restaurants and kitchens during summer too. These cockroaches are dark brown to almost black in colour, with a streak of a glassy appearance. Oriental Cockroaches are one of the larger species, but males are smaller than the females.Though the male Oriental Cockroach has a narrow, leathery vestigial wing, neither the male nor the female fly.
| Common name | Oriental Cockroach |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Blatta Orientalis Linnaeus |
| Size | Approximate 22-27 mm |
| Nymphal development | Approximate 6-12 months |
| Able to fly | Yes |
| Habitat | Hiding in crawl spaces, basement, Kitchen and bathroom. |
| Life span | 1 to 1½ years |
Egg:A female Oriental Cockroach produces on an average eight egg capsules in her lifetime. Each egg capsule or ootheca contains about 16 eggs that are lined up vertically. Two by two in the egg case. The egg capsule may be carried from 12 hours to 5 days and then deposited in a warm, sheltered environment where food is readily available.
Nymph: The female gives no assistance to the young. Nymphs go through seven molts before becoming adults.
Adult:An adult Oriental cockroach is approx. 1 inch long (22 to 27mm) and dark brown to black in colour. Males have wings covering ¾ of their body and the females have very short (rudimentary) wings. The inner wing folds like a fan and is membranous. The outer part of the wing is narrow, leathery and thick. Both the male and female are flightless.The total Life Span is appx 1 to 1½ years.
