Huge cockroaches in the apartment - where do they come from and how to drive them away?

As a rule, many people dislike cockroaches, and as soon as someone notices them in their kitchen, they immediately begin to spray all kinds of chemicals. And we are talking about simple red cockroaches, which everyone has seen at least once in their life.

But there are a huge number of insects of this species. And their sizes reach incredible numbers. Thus, the largest cockroach is comparable in size to a mouse and, surprisingly, they are voluntarily brought into the house and raised.

In our article you will find information about the largest cockroaches in the world and see their impressive photos.

Appearance and features

Photo: What a Madagascar cockroach looks like

The Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), also known as the hissing cockroach, grows up to 7.5 cm in length when mature. These cockroaches are one of the largest species of cockroaches. They are brown, wingless and have long antennae. Males have large bulges in the chest and antennae that are moister than those of females.

Unlike most other cockroaches, they do not have wings. They are excellent climbers and can climb smooth glass. Males are distinguished from females by thicker, hairier antennae and pronounced “horns” on the pronotum. Females carry a carton with eggs inside and release young larvae only after the eggs hatch.

Like some other forest-dwelling cockroaches, parents and offspring usually remain in physical contact for long periods of time. In captivity, these insects can live 5 years. They feed mainly on plant material.

While many insects use sound, the Madagascar hissing cockroach has a unique way of creating a hiss. In this insect, sound is created through the forced displacement of air through a pair of modified abdominal spiracles.

Spiracles are breathing pores that are part of the respiratory system of insects. Because the airways are involved in respiration, this method of sound production is typical of the respiratory sound produced by vertebrates. In contrast, most other insects produce sound by rubbing body parts (such as crickets) or vibrating a membrane (such as cicadas).

Features of reproduction

Some species can be fertilized using the principle of parthenogenesis. This is a kind of “immaculate conception” and an exception to the rule. There is also a myth that all representatives of cockroaches are hermaphrodites. Actually this is not true. To produce offspring, a female needs to have sexual contact with a male at least once.

Red and black cockroaches reproduce in a classic way. The external characteristics of males and females vary greatly. To correctly determine who is who, you don’t have to be an entomologist. Females cannot fly and look much larger than males. The latter have pronounced reproductive organs in the back of the body.

The frequency of reproduction largely depends on the mating season. In black and red cockroaches it is not fixed, so the insects mate at the first opportunity. They do not have any fights for the female.

The female herself lets you know when she is ready to mate. Sexually mature individuals secrete a specific secretion that attracts males. Red and black cockroaches peacefully break into pairs.

Black cockroach, 2-3 cm

The average length of males is 2.5 centimeters, and females can reach 3 centimeters. In appearance they resemble ordinary red cockroaches. But their peculiarity and distinctive feature is their size and glossy surface.

Most often they are black, but they can also be brown. In general, this species of cockroaches does not fly, but sometimes they use undeveloped wings to attract a male or female. You can only take off a couple of centimeters.

It is very difficult to meet them on a wall or ceiling; due to their weight, they prefer to move on the floor. The black cockroach outdoors , but prefers to do this in more greenhouse conditions.

What species end up in houses?

Not all types of cockroaches want to get into the house. But if red-haired Prussians made their way into the home, then a serious struggle awaits. Those residents who have already removed cockroaches remember their agility. It is difficult to find out where exactly these insects entered the house. But the main reasons for their appearance in the apartment are known:

• dirty dishes in the sink that haven’t been washed for a long time;
• garbage with food remains that is rarely taken out of the house;
• neighbors who already have cockroaches.

There is an increased risk of insect pests for those who live close to canteens and cafes. There are cases when cockroaches are simply brought home from work. Maintaining a clean home (especially the kitchen) is the main means of preventing the appearance of disgusting insects. Even one cockroach that gets into a house can quickly multiply. By the way, it also happens that insects appear in those who zealously monitor the cleanliness of their home.

Where do they come from?

In an apartment, large cockroaches usually appear from the sewer or garbage disposal. Sometimes parasites enter a room by moving from neighbors. There may be another option when insects flee from pest control and end up in your apartment. This situation is not uncommon if you live on the 2nd floor, and on the 1st there is a cafe or store.

At the same time, cockroaches use ventilation as their path. It is easy to bring pests into your home on your own clothes or belongings after you have visited where they live. Longhorned beetles may also end up in an apartment with vegetables and fruits brought from the store.

Lifestyle

The largest cockroach in the world lives up to 1-1.5 years, in captivity - up to three. Rarely, adults can live up to 5 years.

Their diet consists of rotting remains of fruits, berries and green plant particles. Most often, these insects live under logs in the forest, on tree branches and in rotten stumps.

Reproduction

These cockroaches are viviparous insects. After the female is fertilized, she does not lay eggs, but carries the offspring in her stomach. After 50 - 70 days, 20-40 small white cockroaches with black eyes appear. Their size is only a few millimeters. After a few hours, the outer cover hardens and the larvae become brown.

The largest cockroaches carefully treat the larvae that have just emerged. They stay near their mother for a couple of days, then spread out. Until the larvae scatter in different directions, the female, protecting them, hisses angrily at other insects and animals.

The chitinous covering of the larva does not grow, so the cockroach grows in it. Periodically, the nymph molts: the old shell cracks, and a light, grown larva emerges from it. She has a soft new shell and begins to eat her former shell.

While the nymph does this, her integument hardens and turns brown. Young insects molt 6 times, the last time 5-6 months after birth.

You can breed Madagascar hissing cockroaches at home. They can serve as food for terrarium pets: lizards, snakes, spiders, amphibians; As food, cockroaches are valued for their high calorie content and lack of odor.

Many exotic lovers keep these cockroaches as pets.

How do they reproduce?

Just like any domestic cockroaches, the inhabitants of Australia reproduce sexually. A special role here is played by the ootheca, where the female lays her eggs after fertilization. Reproduction does not occur too often, and in one year from 20 to 40 nymphs are born. Based on the fact that the lifespan of an adult can reach up to 10 years, their full development ends only after 3-4 years. During this time, insects acquire reproductive organs, noticeably increase in size and molt several times, shedding the old chitinous cover.

In general, this species is characterized by an incomplete type of transformation. Those. The larvae are born not similar to their parents, and only after each molt do they acquire more and more similar external characteristics. Female rhinoceros cockroaches spend quite a long time with their offspring. Up to 9 months they teach them basic skills, and in the evenings they bring fallen leaves for dinner.

Features of keeping giant cockroaches

Madagascar cockroaches are interesting and unpretentious pets. You can use an aquarium or a plastic box to keep them. The container should have a lid, partially replaced with a mesh for ventilation. A layer of peat and sand or a coke substrate is formed at the bottom. Cardboard boxes are placed inside the insectarium as shelters for pets; egg trays are especially convenient.

The optimal temperature is 25-30 0, humidity – 60-70%. It is necessary to moisten the substrate with warm water from a spray bottle. Insects prefer to live on branches. Clean branches and pieces of bark must be placed in the aquarium

Adequate nutrition is important for the survival of young animals. The diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein foods

This prevents cannibalism. The following products are useful for pets:

• crackers;
• bran;
• vegetables – carrots, cucumber, cabbage;
• fruits - apples, bananas, pears;
• meat;
• boiled eggs.

You need to feed insects 2-3 times a week. Food should not spoil; it must be removed and replaced. If there is a sufficient amount of juicy fruit, a drinking bowl is not required. The substrate is changed every month. Clean bedding prevents the appearance of mites and mold.

Large black cockroaches are one of the most unwanted guests in our homes. Garbage in the house, unwashed dishes, dampness in the bathroom can be called factors that provoke their appearance. But sometimes situations develop in such a way that insects can be found even in apartments with ideal conditions and almost sterile cleanliness

.

Body structure

If black cockroaches are infested in the house, it is difficult to confuse them with other types of pests. First, determine the length and color of the body of insects: on average 3-5 cm, but there are individuals whose size is up to 9 cm, the body color is rich black with shine. Males are slightly smaller than females. The external structure is similar to the anatomical features of representatives of other species: the body is divided into segments (chest, head, abdomen).

Structure of the head department:

• Eyes of complex structure
• Mustache
• Oral apparatus
• Simple eye.

Males have better vision than females. The antennae of insects are mobile, since with their help the functions of smell and touch are realized. Their length varies: females have shorter antennae than males. The thoracic region consists of several segments: prothorax, metathorax, mesothorax. The back covers the insect's head. Number of paws – 3 pairs.

The structure of the foot is quite complex: there are claws and a sucker. This allows the pest to move across different surfaces. Pests also have wings. The abdominal section is segmented, with only the first seven sections being large in size, the rest being reduced. The anus is located on the last segment. Sensitive processes - cerci - are also located here. The male is distinguished by the presence of protrusions called styli. They are located on the ninth abdominal segment and provide protection to the external genitalia.

The influence of special bacteria that inhabit the intestines allows us to digest foods that seem inedible to us.

The structure of the nervous system is unusual: there are several nodes, the largest nerve node implements the function of the brain. The respiratory system consists of a certain number of openings located on the abdominal segments, they are called stigmas.

What to withdraw?

If you find this type of insect in your home, you should check thoroughly to see if there are any leaks from pipes or stagnant water. You may need to call a locksmith and have a professional inspection done.

At the same time, do not forget to pay attention to the risers - this is one of the most likely “routes” for cockroaches to get into your apartment. After this, you can go to your neighbors and find out all the issues mentioned above

The fight against black cockroaches can be quick and effective, or it can take a long time.

Below is a list of tools that can be used with success:

GET from cockroaches

One of the best preparations for domestic insects. The emulsion is diluted in water immediately before use strictly in the specified ratio. All suspected habitats are being processed.

The cost of one bottle is approximately 750 rubles.

Apply dotted or drip onto the surface of the floor and cabinets. It is not effective when there are large numbers of insects. Reviews are contradictory, but the majority are positive.

The price of one tube (75 ml) does not exceed 200 rubles

.

Dohlox gel

Odorless, non-toxic to people and animals. When used correctly it shows excellent results. A long-acting drug that is effective even in large populations.

It is insects that have the highest level of adaptability to environmental conditions. And speaking specifically about cockroaches, they actually know how to adapt and live in conditions of severe chemical pollution. What can we say, cockroaches can easily survive a nuclear explosion!

These pests disgust even the most persistent people, especially if they are found in their own home. However, there is a type of cockroach that is completely harmless to humans; it is often elevated to the rank of a full-fledged pet.

Cockroaches according to Aesop's dream book

A cockroach - this annoying and indestructible inhabitant of the Earth in real life is unlikely to bring you misfortune by appearing in a dream.

In the old days, the cockroach was called the “baked resident.” Because this insect loves warmth. It was believed that if there were a lot of cockroaches in a hut, this promised the owners great profit and prosperity.

The appearance of this insect in real life in a dream promises you surprise, profit, news.

Trying to catch a cockroach in a dream - in reality this means that you are doing everything possible to maintain peace and harmony in the house.

A dream in which you are trying to prevent an invasion of cockroaches with the help of chemicals - in real life, circumstances will force you to leave the business you have started, otherwise a streak of disappointments, setbacks and failures awaits you.

If you dreamed that many cockroaches had settled in your house, this dream means prosperity and good luck in business.

Killing a cockroach is good news.

Seeing a dead cockroach in a dream is a sign that all your hopes for a favorable outcome of events are unlikely to come true.

If a cockroach fell on you in a dream - success, fulfillment of desires.

Seeing large, black cockroaches in a dream means that a powerful and very influential person is plotting intrigues against you.

A dream in which you caught a cockroach on your table means that in reality your hard work will be rewarded. You can count on a substantial cash reward.

If in a dream you saw a huge cockroach trying to attack you, this means that in reality you will have to fight for your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones.

White cockroach is considered a symbol of deception and forgery.

Living next door or how to eliminate disease carriers

If cockroaches do appear in the house, there is no need to wait until they move to another apartment. They managed to leave behind many eggs and offspring. We urgently need to get rid of all reminders of an encounter with an unpleasant insect.

The first instinctive extermination is mechanical. It is carried out after the fact: saw - killed. It helps from one representative, but the method only works locally. This method cannot get rid of the entire family of longhorned beetles.

Previously, heat treatment was a popular method. Black domestic cockroaches were frozen out of the building. The method is not suitable for residents of houses with central heating. Not technically feasible.

The use of drugs of natural origin is ineffective, but is used all over the world. Repellents do have an unpleasant odor for cockroaches, but they only repel them and do not help get rid of them at all. The safety of the drug, unfortunately, has been proven not only for people, but also for insects.

Self-made traps, as well as specially made ones, are relevant. For example, a jar of butter is often used. The treat is placed inside a coated jar. After the meal, the cockroach will not be able to get out of it. Also, on the way to the bait, adhesive tape is laid out, so that a cockroach cannot just run across it. A small individual will stick completely, the largest cockroach will leave only its legs. Not a very effective remedy to get rid of barbels forever.

Insecticides kill insects outright. Chemicals entering the body destroy the insect in a matter of minutes. It can survive if it has time to drink water. But even after this, he will bring the remains of chemical components to the nest, thereby dooming his entire family to death.

Folk methods for exterminating cockroaches include boric acid. It is relatively safe for humans, accessible and effective. She is placed around the apartment for several days near areas infested with red and black neighbors.

There are about 5 thousand species of cockroaches in the world. Among them, the Blaberidae family stands out, uniting the largest insects. Up to 20 species of hissing cockroaches are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Their sizes are 50-90 mm, some giants grow up to 100 mm. The largest cockroaches in the world lack wings. They live in the forest floor, feeding on fruits and fallen leaves. Exotic lovers in all countries have these unpretentious and interesting creatures at home.

Reproduction and development

Many insects typically reproduce sexually, and cockroaches are no exception. To begin with, the female cockroach lures the male by secreting a special substance that is produced by her glands. After the male fertilizes the female, his gametes will be stored by the female for a long time, so in the future the female will be able to do without repeated fertilizations for some time.

During her life, a fertilized female can lay larvae up to 6 times. The lifespan of these insects can reach several years. They reproduce all year round and in any environmental conditions.

A pregnant cockroach carries a fertilized egg, which is called an ooteca. The female carries the ootheca within herself and only a few weeks before the larvae mature, she hides the egg in a secluded place. The number of larvae in the ooteca varies depending on the species; for example, the ooteca of the domestic red cockroach contains about 20 larvae.

When cockroach larvae are fully mature, they emerge from the egg and immediately begin to live with the adults. The larvae eat the same food as the adults. In order to answer the question: “What do cockroach larvae look like?” it is necessary to know the developmental features of these insects. The fact is that during the development process, the nymph is forced to go through up to 6 molts before it becomes an imago. After the nymph goes through all stages of development, it turns into a sexually mature insect that is capable of producing its own offspring.

During the molting process, the larva sheds its old shell. The first few hours after molting or birth, the insect is very vulnerable and noticeable: the color of the cockroach has not yet appeared and it is completely white (except for the eyes), the shell has not yet hardened, so the insect is very soft. It can take about 4 months for an insect to develop from egg to adult (imago). It’s not difficult to guess what a small cockroach looks like, because its appearance is not much different from an adult. But, nevertheless, there are a number of differences between the imago and the small cockroach:

• The larvae are smaller;
• Darker color;
• They have no wings.

What explains their survival in unfavorable conditions?

• These insects are notorious for living in inhospitable places and being difficult to get rid of. Now scientists know a little more about what makes them so resilient.
• Researchers from South China Normal University have sequenced DNA, detailing the basic building blocks of insects. The researchers began by sequencing the DNA of several species of cockroaches and found that American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, have one of the largest known genome sequences of any insect, second only to locusts.
• The DNA of Australian cockroaches and smoky-brown cockroaches was also sequenced, and the researchers compared this with existing genetic information on German cockroaches and termites.
• American cockroaches have been found to be more genetically similar to some species of termites than to other species of cockroaches.
• The results coincided with research showing that termites were more like cockroaches than we thought, they just communicated more. The Entomological Society of America has introduced termites into the order of cockroaches.
• Cockroaches, however, have a unique set of genes that allows them to thrive almost anywhere.
• For example, the American cockroach has an incredible sense of smell. Researchers have found that they have almost twice as many olfactory receptors as other insect species.
• When researchers studied taste buds, they found that American cockroaches number more than 500. The ability to withstand a more varied diet may be one of the features that helps the insects adapt.
• The researchers then found out how well cockroaches survive in urban environments. They discovered that American cockroaches have several genes that allow them to withstand toxic environments. American cockroaches have more enzymes that break down toxins and strengthen the immune system.
• The latest, and perhaps most fearsome, characteristic the researchers found in the cockroaches' DNA were genes responsible for re-growing broken limbs. Researchers have systematically amputated cockroaches' limbs and found that they can often regrow them, depending on the severity of the injury. Genes in the American cockroach's DNA promote wound healing and tissue regrowth.

Large black cockroaches in the apartment, how to get rid of them?

Temperature below minus ten

destructive for cockroaches. In an unheated room in winter they die. But this method of control, of course, is only suitable for exterminating them in country houses in the off-season.

Since ancient times, in our country they have been fighting cockroaches: laying out

in their habitats
, orange peels, bay leaves, elder flowers, pyrethrum, boric acid
mixed with boiled egg yolk. The pungent odor of these plants and substances is, in theory, due to cockroaches.

In practice, these traditional methods are not very effective.

. - one of the most ancient animals on the planet, they safely survived the dinosaurs. Evolution is taking place before our eyes: our ancestors successfully used these means, and today you can see insects crawling on them.

Killing cockroaches with a slipper is a fascinating activity, but you can’t exterminate many of them this way. You will finish off the whole pack, while the cocoons lie in a secluded place. Soon a new generation will emerge from them.

Application against poisonous cockroaches is somewhat more successful. Spray the spray in the places where they feed, you can sweep up the corpses of insects with dustpans.

The disadvantages of this solution are obvious: chemical poisons are harmful

not only for insects, but also for humans.
Before chemical treatment of a room, you must close the doors and windows tightly and leave it for a while. Children can be poisoned
by insecticides .

Among other means of struggle, we will mention adhesives, labyrinths, electrodes; , the fumes of which paralyze an insect passing through a line drawn on the floor.

IMPORTANT! The most effective remedy today is special gels. They are squeezed out of plastic syringes onto paper or stands in places of mass pilgrimage of cockroaches

The smell and taste of the gel is attractive to insects, they eat it with pleasure

. Then they die in droves from poisoning.

Among such products, popular trademarks are “”, “”, “”, “Sturm”, . Unlike aerosols, such products are safe for humans

.

If cockroaches have been living in an apartment for many years and nothing takes them out, specialists will be able to remove them. Professional sanitary services will cost several hundred rubles to comprehensively treat the premises with substances harmless to humans. In the future, if you keep your house clean, the problem will be eliminated for years.

To eliminate this danger, it is necessary to agree on sanitizing the entire house

Particular attention should be paid to eliminating sources of high humidity: eliminate hot and cold water leaks in the basement, atmospheric moisture entering the entrance, through the roof, windows, cracks. It is necessary to ensure that municipal services provide timely and accurate waste removal.

But the main thing is cleanliness, constant cleaning of the premises in your own home.

.

Wash dishes immediately, do not accumulate them in the sink. After lunch, immediately sweep the crumbs off the table. Store bread, cereals in sealed bags, and other products in the refrigerator. Take out the trash daily, preferably several times a day, especially if the garbage disposal is on the floor. You can't accumulate it in a bucket.

Understand the reasons for high humidity in the restroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Find water leaks and fix them.

Dampness can also be the result of condensation of vapors in the kitchen. Ventilate more often.

A clean house will not have cockroaches. Their presence in the apartment eloquently testifies to the lifestyle of its owners. Change your habits, harmful insects will leave you alone.

Flying cockroaches, names and photos

Despite having wings, not all cockroaches can fly. And even representatives of flying species do not know how to glide in the air, but only make small and short flights. Flying cockroaches:

Red cockroach (Blattella germanica)

It has a brown-red color and a body length of 1-1.6 cm.

Lapland cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus)

A species that lives in Europe and the USA. Males are 1.3-1.4 cm long, females are 9-10 mm long. Individuals are colored gray-yellow and brown-yellow.

Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai)

It lives in the tropics and subtropics of hot Asia, as well as in the southern states of the USA.

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

It is similar to the Prussian, but differs in longer length - from 35 to 50 mm.

Cockroaches Megaloblatta longipennis and Megaloblatta blaberoides

They live in the countries of Central and South America. The length of the insects reaches 9 cm, width - 4.5 cm. The wingspan is 18-20 cm.

Cockroach Blaberus giganteus

A species native to South and Central America. Males grow up to 6.5-7 cm, females - up to 7-8.5 cm.

What is the largest insect?

Chan's megastick insect or Phobaeticus chani is the longest and largest insect in the world . The body length of the largest specimen was 35.7 cm, and the length of the insect with elongated limbs was 56.7 cm. Chan's Megastick lives in Malaysia. The species is named after the naturalist Chan Chiul-yeong, who first studied and classified this species in 2008. Until now, this species of large insects has been little studied, and nothing is known about their lifestyle.

Features of keeping domestic giants

Under natural conditions, Madagascar cockroaches live in a humid tropical climate. Not being able to fly, they are constantly on the plant litter and hide under leaves or remnants of bark from possible enemies. Considering how the largest cockroaches in the world live, it is worth creating an insectarium microclimate. Insects will feel good in any sufficiently large aquarium, but the following conditions should be observed.

1. It is necessary to isolate the cockroach from the possibility of getting out. It is worth covering the aquarium ¾ with glass and about ¼ with a fine mesh. This will leave room for ventilation and make it possible to feed your pets.
2. The bottom is covered with a mixture of peat, sand and coconut substrate. You can use pieces of birch bark for shelter. Be sure to place several large branches so that your pets can feel at home.
3. The substrate is always kept moist. To do this, it is convenient to use a spray bottle with a fine cloud.
4. Using an infrared emitter for terrariums, the temperature is maintained at 25-30 °C.
5. You can purchase any electronic device as a humidifier or use incubator baths. Humidity is kept at 60-70%.
6. It is useful to use a fan to evenly distribute moist air throughout the entire volume and regulate it.

Cockroaches are unpretentious guests; if normal conditions are created, then new pets can be observed very quickly.

Gromphadorina portentosa Cockroaches do not excite anyone with their appearance, except perhaps disgust, but, nevertheless, there are types of cockroaches that are kept as pets. One of these is the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). Madagascar cockroaches are the largest cockroaches in the world. They can also be seen in the wild if you take ecotourism to Madagascar.

Madagascar cockroach The largest cockroaches in the world reach up to 9-10 cm in length. This is the maximum length. On average, the body of males reaches a length of 5.5 cm, and that of females - 6 cm. Madagascar cockroaches do not have wings, their body color is yellow-brown. In the wild, the lifespan of these insects is no more than 2 years, and at home – 5 years. They feed on fruits, leaves of trees and shrubs. Cockroaches live both on branches and in leaf litter on the ground.

Madagascar cockroaches In addition to their large size, Madagascar cockroaches have one more feature - they hiss loudly when they sense danger. In captivity, cockroaches demonstrate their ability to hiss when they are touched with a finger. Thanks to their slippery shell and ability to scare away with hissing, cockroaches manage to escape from insectivorous animals and birds, but not always. The same hissing is accompanied by the efforts of males to attract females during the mating season. These insects engage in fights for females. Males push each other hard and thereby cause significant damage. The fight ends when one of the fighters lies on his back with his paws up. This means he is defeated.

female Madagascar cockroachMadagascar hissing cockroaches are active at night. During the day they hide in the bark, in cracks or under leaves. Insects love warmth, and temperatures below 25 degrees are poorly tolerated by them. These representatives of the fauna reproduce by gestating eggs in the ooteca. This is the name of a special section on the abdomen, located at the very tip. Gestation lasts about three months, after which small white cockroaches hatch. Hardening and browning of the skin of newborn cockroaches occurs during the first

reproduction of the Madagascar cockroach several hours after birth. At one time, one female hatches 20–40 babies. The growth of a cockroach takes a long time - about six months. During this time, molting occurs six times. When a cockroach becomes an adult, molting no longer occurs.

Based on materials:

eco-turizm.net

Where do they live?

The habitat of large black cockroaches is the island of Madagascar. Insects are active at night, and during the day they hide under anything that can serve as protection from the scorching sun - old stumps, large stones, leaves.

A smooth shell protects black cockroaches from predators: if it presses against the bark of a tree, a stone, or another surface, it is very difficult to grab it. A sharp hissing sound protects cockroaches from insectivorous insects.

In addition to Madagascar, there are 3 more types of hissing cockroaches:

1. Tigers. They are called so because their chitinous cover has a characteristic color - the chest is black, and the sides are spotted with bright orange.

1. Broad-horned. Males have a growth on the front back. The body is terracotta or dark brown in color, and the front back is black. Among mute mutes, broad-horned ones are the largest. The size of an adult female can exceed 8-9 cm, and a male 7-8 cm.
2. Gromphadorhina picea. Cockroaches of this species are also found in Madagascar, but there are very few of them and there is no information about insects in official sources.

In nature, black Madagascar cockroaches live for about 2 years. At home, where good care is provided and all conditions are available, insects can live 2 or even 3 times longer.

During the period of maturation (about 6 months), the larva can molt up to 7 times. After shedding its chitinous shell, its body remains soft for 4-5 hours. All this time she is defenseless and requires careful treatment.

American cockroach

The size of the American cockroach can reach four centimeters. They feed on almost everything and are highly fertile. The considerable growth rate and ability to survive make us talk about this representative of the cockroaches seriously.

American cockroaches can move everywhere, even on the ceiling. When in danger, this insect exudes a stinking liquid that causes an instant allergy in the enemy. It can be considered one of the longest-livers among the entire cockroach family. If you find this creature in your home, immediately contact the appropriate service to remove them. An American cockroach can even attack a pet in a fight for food! Agree, such creatures are very unpleasant neighbors.

We have listed the most famous types of cockroaches. Next, let's talk about those that can cause surprise and even amazement when meeting.

Life cycle of a cockroach

The American cockroach has three life stages: egg, several larval instars, and adult. The life cycle from egg to adult averages about 600 days, and the adult life span can be an additional 400 days.

Nymphs emerge from the egg in about six to eight weeks and mature in about six to twelve months.

Adults can live up to one year, and an adult female will give birth to an average of 150 children in her lifetime. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity affect the development time of the American cockroach. Outdoors, the female prefers moist, hidden places.

Eggs: Female American cockroaches lay their eggs about a week after mating. At the peak of her reproductive period, she may lay down two capsules per week. Females produce on average one ootheca per month for ten months. The female deposits a capsule near a food source, sometimes sticking it to the surface using a special secretion from her mouth. The deposited ootheca contains water sufficient for the development of eggs. When stored, the shell of the egg turns brown or black after a day or two. It is about 8 mm long and 5 mm high.

Nymph: The nymph stage begins when the egg hatches and ends with the emergence of the adult cockroach. The number of molts of the American cockroach varies from six to 14. The first instar American cockroach turns white immediately after hatching, then turns grayish-brown. After molting, subsequent cockroach nymphs are white and then reddish-brown, with the posterior edges of the thoracic and abdominal segments being darker in color. The wings are absent during the nymphal stages, and the wing flaps become visible in the third or fourth instar. Complete development from egg to adult takes about 600 days. Nymphs, like adults, actively obtain food and water.

Adult: The adult American cockroach is reddish-brown in color with a pale brown or yellow stripe along the edge of the pronotum. Males are longer than females because their wings extend 4–8 mm beyond the tip of the abdomen. Males and females have a pair of slender, articulated paired appendages at the tip of their abdomen. Male cockroaches have cerci with 18 to 19 segments, while females have 13 to 14 segments. Male American cockroaches have a pair of palps between the cerci, but females do not.

Reproduction of different species

Knowing the basic life cycle of cockroaches will help prevent their appearance and make it easier to eliminate unwanted guests. One female is capable of giving birth to 40 young individuals. Their number depends on the number of larvae in the egg carried by the female. Outwardly, such an egg looks more like a bag. All types of cockroaches breed in the apartment all year round.

During her life, the female lays eggs up to 4 times. Detecting such masonry is problematic. Another feature of the life activity of these creatures is their ability to leave marks at sources of food and water for their relatives.

But getting rid of any type of cockroaches is difficult. Even expensive drugs are sometimes unable to cope with this task. Exterminators advise taking preventative measures to prevent these creatures from appearing in your home, because destroying them will be quite problematic.

Redheads (Blattella germanica)

If we consider the types of domestic cockroaches, this is the most popular family. It is also known as Prussians. No living space is immune from the appearance of red cockroaches.

It is worth noting that it is very difficult to get rid of them - insects know how to hide well, reproduce with incredible speed, and chemicals or traditional methods of killing cockroaches are ineffective.

Types of cockroaches

You can meet red cockroaches almost everywhere:

• Living spaces;
• hospitals;
• public places;
• utility rooms;
• country houses.

The body of the cockroach is slightly elongated, the chitinous shell has a reddish tint, which can range from light to very dark. Representatives of such an interesting family live near a large amount of food. Incredibly, they easily manage to penetrate even closed containers.

Types of red cockroaches

Interesting facts from the life of red cockroaches - they can find food almost everywhere. Even if you carefully hide all the leftover food, insects will easily find a few grains of sugar spilled a long time ago or stale bread crumbs.

The presence of water is vital for representatives of this family. They can go without food for a long time, but if the taps in the apartment are faulty, then the cockroaches will calmly continue to visit, constantly visiting the source of life-giving for them. They will not disdain indoor plants either - young shoots may be completely eaten

They will not disdain indoor plants either - young shoots may be completely eaten.