A species of cockroach called the Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) was initially identified from insects gathered on Japan, Okinawa Island in 1981. It’s a diminutive species of cockroach that is normally 1.3 to 1.6 cm long, tan to dark brown in color, and has dark parallel stripes on the back of its head. In and around homes are popular places to find it in the United States.
Morphology
- With a few minor morphological exceptions, the Asian cockroach and the Blattella germanica (German cockroach) are almost identical.
- It is 0.63 inches in length, tan to brown bodies and having wings just like the German cockroach.
- However, compared to the German cockroach, it has longer wings, and abdominal grooves.
- This is a strong flier, it is drawn to light. This is the easiest way to distinguish between the two species.
Diet
Like the majority of cockroach species, the Asian cockroach is an omnivore that will consume anything it can find. They have been seen to consume flowers, human food, agricultural produce and pet food. The Asian cockroaches feed on prey in common agricultural crops including cotton and soybeans. They have also been seen consuming strawberries, lettuce, and cabbage.
Habitat
The Asian cockroach actually favors the outdoors, in contrast to other pestilential roach species that are noted for infiltrating homes. Similar to the Pennsylvania wood roach, the Asian roach favors living outdoors in undeveloped areas. Asian cockroaches are typically found in moist, shady places that are covered in leaf litter or mulch. When the conditions are ideal, they will remain in one place and breed there until they have taken over the entire area.
Life Cycle
The Asian cockroach actually favors the outdoors, in contrast to other pestilential roach species that are noted for infiltrating homes. Similar to the Pennsylvania wood roach, the Asian roach favors living outdoors in undeveloped areas. Asian cockroaches are typically found in moist, shady places that are covered in leaf litter or mulch. When the conditions are ideal, they will remain in one place and breed there until they have taken over the entire area.
Between 35 and 40 eggs, which are incubated for about 19 days, are found in each egg case. The baby roaches are soft-bodied and creamy white when they first hatch. After giving birth, they frequently spend the first several hours hiding under the mother while their exoskeletons slightly harden. Nymphs gradually increase in size for 60–70 days before molting and re-growing new skin.
The nymph develops adult wings and reaches sexual maturity during the last molt. The average adult lifetime is between 50 and 100 days, with females living longer in adulthood than males. Female Asian roaches will only lay four egg cases throughout that period.
Status as a Pest
The Asian cockroach, which lives in the garden and is a foreign pest in Florida during the summer and spring when adult populations are at their highest. As the faeces of animals come into contact with them, soil-borne diseases, and other bacteria causing disease. The Asian cockroach may exhibit comparable characteristics and present the same health risk to these people, whose faeces and body parts may be allergic to humans.
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