German Cockroach
Blattella germanica · Insect, Invertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Blattellidae, order Blattodea, class Insecta
Animal Category
Invasive Species, Pest
Breed / Variety
German Cockroach
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN; abundant and considered a major household pest.
About This Creature
Small, flattened oval body typically measuring 1.1 to 1.6 cm in length. Light brown to tan with two dark, parallel stripes on the pronotum.
Physical Characteristics
Flattened body, long filamentous antennae, compound eyes, chewing mouthparts, six spiny legs, and fully developed wings that are rarely used for sustained flight.
Behavior & Temperament
Gregarious, nocturnal, highly adaptable, fast-running, elusive, and largely avoids light.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Likely originating from Southeast Asia or Northeast Africa, now globally distributed in human habitations.
Habitat
Urban/Suburban, indoor environments like kitchens and bathrooms; Terrestrial.
Diet & Nutrition
Omnivorous scavenger feeding on starches, sugars, grease, meat, paper, and soap.
Lifespan & Health
Lifespan is around 100 to 200 days. High reproductive capacity; females produce multiple egg cases (oothecae) containing 30-40 eggs each.
Special Characteristics
Known for rapid reproduction, high resistance to many common insecticides, and acting as a vector for human pathogens and allergens.
Ecological Information
Acts as a decomposer and scavenger in urban environments, serving as a food source for various predators like spiders, rodents, and birds.