 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 PENNSYLVANIA WOOD COCKROACH
Common
Name: Pennsylvania
wood cockroach
Scientific Name: Parcoblatta pensylvanica
Introduction. The Pennsylvania
wood cockroach is found
in the southern states
and northward through
the midwestern and northeastern
states and into Canada.
It is apparently a native
species. As its name
implies, this outdoor
cockroach is most frequently
associated with wooded
settings.
 Recognition. Adult Pennsylvania wood
cockroach males measure
about 7/8 to 1 1/8 inch
long whereas, adult
females are 1/2 to 3/4
inch long. They are
chestnut brown with
the pronotal shield
(the back behind the
head) and forewings
edged in white. The
male is fully winged
and a good flier; whereas,
the female’s wings are
reduced, covering only
about 2/3 of the abdomen,
and functionless for
flight. Nymphal instars
are light reddish-brown
to grayish-brown.
The egg capsule (ootheca)
is yellowish-brown and
about 1/2 inch long.
Egg capsules are 2 to
3 times longer than
wide and have the appearance
of a slender, arched
pouch or purse.
Similar
Insects. The
nymphs of oriental cockroaches
are similar to those
Pennsylvania wood cockroaches.
Typically, oriental
cockroaches inhabit
urbanized and established
suburban settings; whereas,
Pennsylvania wood cockroaches
inhabit rural wooded
settings.
Biology. The female deposits
and cements her egg
capsules under the loose
bark of dead trees,
stumps, fallen logs,
and in other protected
places. On the average,
the female will produce
about 30 egg capsules,
each containing about
32 eggs (range 32 to
36).
Developmental time (egg
to adult) is quite long,
averaging about 318
days (range 280 to 766).
Habits. The Pennsylvania wood
cockroach is an outdoor
species, which can only
rarely survive indoors.
Outdoors they are usually
found under the loose
bark of dead trees,
in treeholes, and in
woodpiles. However,
they have been found
under cedar-shake shingles
and siding, and in gutters.
Both sexes can be or
are typically brought
in with firewood. Males
are good fliers and
are attracted to light,
so they often enter
at night via cracks
and crevices through
which light penetrates
to the outside. If not
brought in, females
must crawl in because
they have functionless
wings. This species
rarely breeds or survives
indoors. Inside, males
are usually inactive
during the day unless
disturbed, but fly in
the vicinity of lights
at night.
They are reported to
prefer sweets and starchy
materials as food.
Cultural
Control & Precautionary
Measures. Control
is seldom required indoors
because this species
usually does not survive
inside. Preventative
pest control is what
is usually required.
This consists of nailing
flashing down tight,
sealing exterior cracks
and crevices with silicone
caulk, making sure all
windows have tight fitting
screens in good repair,
all doors have doorsweeps
and self-closing screen
doors which are tight
fitting and in good
repair, and all exterior
vents or vent openings
are screened with wire
hardware cloth no larger
than 1/8 inch mesh.
Window screening must
be kept in good repair.
Changing white incandescent
bulbs to yellow bulbs
around entrance doors
may help.
Professional
Control. A
Rottler technician will
apply an exterior barrier
treatment using residual
liquid insecticide around
the foundation perimeter,
beneath lower wood siding,
eaves and soffits, along
exterior molding, flashing,
fascia and the roofline.
Appropriate insecticide
baits and dusts may
be used indoors and
in garages, in conjunction
with food lure pest
monitors (sticky traps),
when warranted. In severe
infestations, attics
and/or crawlspaces may
be fogged with a non-residual
aerosol insecticide.
A regular pest management
service program may
be required in cases
where large populations
of Pennsylvania wood
roaches are present
and where landscaping
conditions and locality
are conducive to their
propagation.
Locations
Serving the St. Louis Metropolitan area since 1956, including
Arnold, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Des Peres,
Fenton, Florissant, Kirkwood, Maryland Heights, Overland, St.
Charles, Webster Groves, Wentzville and surrounding areas.
In Illinois: Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Columbia,
Madison, Waterloo, O’Fallon, Granite City, Alton, St. Clair, Monroe
and surrounding areas.
Columbia & Jefferson City, MO and surrounding areas. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
