Asian cockroach
Encyclopedia
Blattella asahinai, the Asian cockroach is a species
of cockroach
that was first described in 1981 from insects collected on Okinawa Island
, Japan
. It is nearly identical to the German cockroach except for a few minor morphological differences. Like the German cockroach, it is about 1.6 cm (0.62992125984252 in) long, is tan to brown in color, and has wings. However, its wings are longer than the German cockroach, and there is a difference between a groove in the abdomen between the two species. There are other differences. The quickest way to tell the difference between the two species is that the Asian cockroach is a strong flyer (almost like a moth) and is attracted to light, unlike the German cockroach. This outgoing species tends to prefer the outdoors, whereas the depressive German cockroach prefers living indoors.
It is found in tropical and subtropical climates, and was first identified in the United States
in 1986 in Lakeland, Florida
. It has since expanded throughout much of Florida
and is spreading into other southern states. In addition to Florida, it is reported in Alabama
, Georgia
, South Carolina
, and Texas
. Its population reaches its zenith in late August and declines rapidly with the onset of cool weather (Snoddy and Appel 2007). During adverse weather conditions such as cold weather or dry conditions the Asian cockroach will burrow down into the leaf litter (Snoddy and Appel 2007). According to entomologist Bob Pfannenstiel (Beneficial Insects Research Unit, Weslaco, Texas), this omnivorous
species also feeds, under certain conditions, on the eggs of lepidopteran pests of annual crops. Asian cockroaches ventured west into Texas in 2006, and became the most common predator of bollworm
eggs in the state's Rio Grande Valley region. The bollworm threatens cotton, soybean, corn and tomato crops.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of cockroach
Cockroach
Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria or Blattodea, of which about 30 species out of 4,500 total are associated with human habitations...
that was first described in 1981 from insects collected on Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is nearly identical to the German cockroach except for a few minor morphological differences. Like the German cockroach, it is about 1.6 cm (0.62992125984252 in) long, is tan to brown in color, and has wings. However, its wings are longer than the German cockroach, and there is a difference between a groove in the abdomen between the two species. There are other differences. The quickest way to tell the difference between the two species is that the Asian cockroach is a strong flyer (almost like a moth) and is attracted to light, unlike the German cockroach. This outgoing species tends to prefer the outdoors, whereas the depressive German cockroach prefers living indoors.
It is found in tropical and subtropical climates, and was first identified in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1986 in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. It has since expanded throughout much of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and is spreading into other southern states. In addition to Florida, it is reported in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Its population reaches its zenith in late August and declines rapidly with the onset of cool weather (Snoddy and Appel 2007). During adverse weather conditions such as cold weather or dry conditions the Asian cockroach will burrow down into the leaf litter (Snoddy and Appel 2007). According to entomologist Bob Pfannenstiel (Beneficial Insects Research Unit, Weslaco, Texas), this omnivorous
Omnivore
Omnivores are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source...
species also feeds, under certain conditions, on the eggs of lepidopteran pests of annual crops. Asian cockroaches ventured west into Texas in 2006, and became the most common predator of bollworm
Bollworm
A bollworm is a common term for any larva of a moth that attacks the fruiting bodies of certain crops, especially cotton.The most common moths known as bollworms are:* Red or Sudan Bollworm: Diaparopsis* Rough Bollworm: Earias perhuegeli...
eggs in the state's Rio Grande Valley region. The bollworm threatens cotton, soybean, corn and tomato crops.
External links
- Asian cockroach on the UFUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
/ IFASInstitute of Food and Agricultural SciencesThe University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information...
Featured Creatures Web site.