German cockroach 1874591 225582948 2008-07-14T12:28:27Z 121.210.210.178 /* Pest Control */ improve grammar (I think) {{Refimprove|date=March 2008}} {{Taxobox | name = German cockroach | status = secure | image = Blatella germanica p1160206.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = German Cockroach<br> (''Blattella germanica'') | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Insect]]a | ordo = [[Blattodea]] | familia = [[Blattellidae]] | genus = ''[[Blattella]]'' | species = '''''B. germanica''''' | binomial = ''Blattella germanica'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1767 | commons = Blatella germanica }} [[Image:Blatella germanica cdc.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Female German cockroach with ootheca.]] The '''German cockroach''' or '''Croton bug''' (''Blattella germanica'') is a small [[species]] of [[cockroach]], measuring about 1.3&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]] to 1.6&nbsp;cm (1/2" to 5/8") long. It can be tan through brown to almost black, and has two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of the wings. Although it has wings, it is unable to sustain [[Insect flight|flight]]. The German cockroach is one of the most common and prominent household cockroaches in the world, and can be found throughout many human settlements. These insects are particularly fond of inhabiting [[restaurant]]s, [[food processing]] facilities, [[hotel]]s, and [[nursing home]]s. In colder climates, they are found only near human habitats, since they are not very tolerant to cold. However German cockroaches have been found as far north as [[Alert, Nunavut]].<ref>[http://www.pensoft.net/notes/9728.stm The insects and arachnids of Canada, part 14, The Grasshoppers, Crickets, and related insects of Canada and adjacent region]</ref> The German cockroach is originally from [[Asia]] and very common in [[Russia]], not in Germany. It is very closely related to the [[Asian cockroach]], and to the casual observer they appear nearly identical and may be mistaken for the other. This cockroach can be seen in the day occasionally, especially if there is a large population or if they have been disturbed. However, sightings are most commonly reported in the evening hours as they are [[Nocturnality|most active at night]]. == Pest Control == The German cockroach is very successful at establishing an [[ecological niche]] in [[building]]s, and is very hardy and resilient against attempts at [[pest control]]. This is because of the large number of [[Nymph (biology)|nymphs]] produced from each [[Egg (biology)|egg]] case, the short period between birth and sexual maturity, and their ability to easily hide due to their small size. The mother also carries the egg case (called an [[ootheca]]) with her during the [[germination]] period, rather than depositing it like other species, a practice which would leave them vulnerable in a human habitat to zealous attempts to wipe them out. This cockroach is also smaller than many other species so it can more easily hide and fit into very small cracks and crevices to evade humans. That is also the main reason they can most effectively be controlled with bait in cracks and crevices near harborages. These type of pest control methods should kill 95% of the overall population in a property due to their fast reproductive cycles.<ref>[http://www.rosepestcontrol.com/pages/german_cockroach/58.php Rose Pest Control]</ref> The German cockroach, discounting the presence of [[pets]], has few natural [[predator]]s inside a human habitat. The German cockroach's [[thigmotactic]] nature compounds the difficulty of pest control treatment. The immature cockroaches will live off excretions and moults from the adult cockroaches and thus can remain hidden away from most surface treatments.<ref>Federal Pest Control</ref> == Diet == The German cockroach is [[omnivorous]] and a [[scavenger]]. They particularly like [[starch]], [[sugar]]y foods, grease and [[meat]]s. In certain situations where there is a shortage of foodstuffs, they may eat household items such as soap, glue and toothpaste or they may even turn cannibalistic, often chewing on the wings and legs of each other. == See also == * [[Blattellaquinone]], a sex pheromone of the German cockroach == External links == {{commons|Blattella germanica}} * [http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/roaches/german.htm German cockroach] on the [[UF]] / [[IFAS]] Featured Creatures Web site. * [http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/german_cockroach.htm German cockroach fact sheet] from the [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] Extension * [http://www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/pes_germancockroach.shtml Fact sheet on German Cockroaches] from [[Harvard University]] == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Cockroaches]] [[zh-min-nan:Tek-kok ka-choa̍h]] [[ca:Blatella germanica]] [[cs:Rus domácí]] [[de:Deutsche Schabe]] [[et:Prussakas]] [[fr:Blatte germanique]] [[it:Blattella germanica]] [[pl:Karaczan prusak]] [[pt:Baratinha]] [[ru:Рыжий таракан]] [[tr:Alman hamam böceği]] [[zh:德國蟑螂]]