Common types
of cockroaches
in Sydney
Sydney Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a notorious household pest in Sydney, known for their remarkable resilience and adaptability to various environments. In Sydney, several species of cockroaches are commonly encountered in homes and businesses, each with unique characteristics, habitats, and behaviours. The page focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of these prevalent cockroach species, offering valuable insights into their identification and management.
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American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Appearance
- Reddish-brown colour
- Approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long
- Oval-shaped body
- Six legs
- Two antennae
- Wings (both males and females can fly)
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal
- Highly adaptable to various environments
- Prefer warm, dark, and damp areas
- Can be found in homes, restaurants, and other structures
- Able to traverse walls and ceilings
Biology
- Scientific name: Periplaneta americana
- Part of the Blattodea order
- Cold-blooded insects (ectothermic)
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Consume a wide range of materials, including:
- Decaying organic matter
- Food scraps
- Paper
- Glue
- Hair
- Dead insects
Breeding Cycle
- Females produce egg capsules called oothecae
- Each ootheca contains 14-16 eggs
- Oothecae are deposited in a safe, hidden location
- Eggs hatch in 6-8 weeks
- Nymphs go through 10-13 moulting stages before reaching adulthood
- Development from egg to adult takes 6-12 months
Potential Damage
- Spread bacteria and pathogens, causing potential health hazards
- Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and regurgitated food particles
- Trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals
- Cause damage to structures and belongings through feeding and nesting
- Emit unpleasant odours due to secretions from scent glands
oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
Appearance
- Dark brown or shiny black colour
- Approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) long for females, 0.8 inches (2 cm) for males
- Oval-shaped body
- Six legs
- Two antennae
- Wings (short and non-functional in females, males have longer wings but rarely fly)
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal
- Prefer dark, damp, and cool environments
- Commonly found in basements, crawlspaces, and near drains
- Can survive outdoors in warmer climates
Biology
- Scientific name: Blatta orientalis
- Part of the Blattodea order
- Cold-blooded insects (ectothermic)
- Lifespan: approximately 1 year
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Primarily feed on decaying organic matter
- Consume a wide range of materials, including:
- Food scraps
- Garbage
- Fecal matter
- Dead insects
Breeding Cycle
- Females produce egg capsules called oothecae
- Each ootheca contains 16-18 eggs
- Oothecae are deposited in a safe, hidden location
- Eggs hatch in about 60 days
- Nymphs go through 7-10 moulting stages before reaching adulthood
- Development from egg to adult takes 6-18 months, depending on environmental conditions
Potential Damage
- Spread bacteria and pathogens, causing potential health hazards
- Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and regurgitated food particles
- Trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals
- Cause damage to structures and belongings through feeding and nesting
- Emit unpleasant odours due to secretions from scent glands
smokybrown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
Appearance
- Uniform, shiny, mahogany-brown colour
- Approximately 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) long
- Oval-shaped body
- Six legs
- Two antennae
- Wings (both males and females can fly)
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal
- Highly attracted to light sources
- Prefer warm, dark, and damp environments
- Commonly found in tree holes, leaf litter, and other outdoor areas
- Can also infest structures, especially those with moisture problems
Biology
- Scientific name: Periplaneta fuliginosa
- Part of the Blattodea order
- Cold-blooded insects (ectothermic)
- Lifespan: approximately 1 year
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Consume a wide range of materials, including:
- Decaying organic matter
- Food scraps
- Paper
- Glue
- Dead insects
Breeding Cycle
- Females produce egg capsules called oothecae
- Each ootheca contains 20-24 eggs
- Oothecae are deposited in a safe, hidden location
- Eggs hatch in about 45 days
- Nymphs go through 9-11 moulting stages before reaching adulthood
- Development from egg to adult takes 6-12 months, depending on environmental conditions
Potential Damage
- Spread bacteria and pathogens, causing potential health hazards
- Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and regurgitated food particles
- Trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals
- Cause damage to structures and belongings through feeding and nesting
- Emit unpleasant odours due to secretions from scent glands
German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
Appearance
- Light brown or tan colour with two dark parallel stripes on the pronotum
- Approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long
- Oval-shaped body
- Six legs
- Two antennae
- Wings (both males and females have wings, but rarely fly)
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal
- Highly adaptable to various environments
- Prefer warm, dark, and humid areas
- Commonly found in homes, restaurants, and other structures
- Tend to stay close to food and water sources
Biology
- Scientific name: Blattella germanica
- Part of the Blattodea order
- Cold-blooded insects (ectothermic)
- Lifespan: approximately 6-9 months
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Consume a wide range of materials, including:
- Food scraps
- Starches
- Sugars
- Grease
- Meat
- Dead insects
Breeding Cycle
- Females produce egg capsules called oothecae
- Each ootheca contains 30-40 eggs
- Oothecae are carried by the female until 1-2 days before hatching
- Eggs hatch in about 28 days
- Nymphs go through 6-7 moulting stages before reaching adulthood
- Development from egg to adult takes 1-4 months, depending on environmental conditions
Potential Damage
- Spread bacteria and pathogens, causing potential health hazards
- Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and regurgitated food particles
- Trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals
- Cause damage to structures and belongings through feeding and nesting
- Emit unpleasant odours due to secretions from scent glands
Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
Appearance
- Light brown or tan colour with two lighter bands across the wings and abdomen
- Approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long
- Oval-shaped body
- Six legs
- Two antennae
- Wings (both males and females have wings, males can fly)
Habits
- Primarily nocturnal
- Prefer warm, dry environments
- Commonly found in homes, offices, and other structures
- Tend to avoid areas with high moisture levels
- Often found in high locations, such as upper cabinets, shelves, and ceilings
Biology
- Scientific name: Supella longipalpa
- Part of the Blattodea order
- Cold-blooded insects (ectothermic)
- Lifespan: approximately 3-11 months
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Consume a wide range of materials, including:
- Food scraps
- Starches
- Sugars
- Dead insects
- Glue
- Wallpaper paste
Breeding Cycle
- Females produce egg capsules called oothecae
- Each ootheca contains 14-18 eggs
- Oothecae are deposited in a safe, hidden location
- Eggs hatch in about 50-74 days
- Nymphs go through 6-8 moulting stages before reaching adulthood
- Development from egg to adult takes 2-4 months, depending on environmental conditions
Potential Damage
- Spread bacteria and pathogens, causing potential health hazards
- Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and regurgitated food particles
- Trigger allergies and asthma in some individuals
- Cause damage to structures and belongings through feeding and nesting
- Emit unpleasant odours due to secretions from scent glands