(Periplaneta americana)
Biology:
The American cockroach is the largest species found in our country. The body length is 28-40 mm. It is light to medium reddish brown with rusty yellow bands on the pronotum. Both sexes have wings, but are only capable of gliding. The nocturnal animals are fast runners and can climb very well. Like all cockroaches, they lay their eggs in egg packets, so-called oothecae.
The egg packets with 15-20 eggs are only carried around for a few days, then glued to protected places and covered if possible. The young hatch after approx. 1-2 months. The adult animals have a relatively long lifespan of 1 to 1.5 years.
The American cockroach is very fond of warmth and places high demands on temperature and humidity. They are therefore only found in warm and humid rooms, usually in zoological gardens, greenhouses, indoor swimming pools etc., where these conditions are met. Oothecae are no longer formed above 15 °C and overwintering outdoors is not possible.
Damage:
Cockroaches (also known colloquially as cockroaches) are omnivores and will eat anything that is accessible. Waste, provisions, food of all kinds, but also excrement and materials such as leather, textiles and paper are on their menu. Soft and watery materials are preferred. In greenhouses, the American cockroach causes great damage, particularly by feeding on young plants, flowers and fruit. Due to their not very picky diet, cockroaches pose a major health risk by contaminating food and spreading pathogens and mold spores. They can be carriers of anthrax, salmonella, tuberculosis and worm diseases. They also play a significant role in causing allergies (cockroach allergens, e.g. in droppings) and must be regarded as real health pests.
