Cockroach (likely American Cockroach or similar large species)
Scientific Name: Periplaneta americana (if American Cockroach, though exact species cannot be definitively identified from the image alone)
Order & Family: Blattodea (Order), Blattidae (Family)
Size: Typically 35-50 mm (1.4-2 inches) for large species like the American cockroach; smaller species exist.
Natural Habitat
Warm, humid, and dark environments, often found indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, wall voids, and sewers. They can also be found outdoors in garden areas or near refuse piles.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous scavengers, eating almost anything organic, including food scraps, decaying matter, sweets, starches, grease, meat, paper, fabric, and even other cockroaches when food is scarce.
Behavior Patterns
Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal and gregarious. They hide in dark, secluded places during the day and forage for food at night. They are known for their rapid movements and ability to squeeze into small cracks and crevices. They can reproduce quickly.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can be pests, spreading bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) on food and surfaces, triggering allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals due to their shed skins and droppings. They can also contaminate food and cause an unpleasant odor in heavily infested areas. Benefits: In natural ecosystems, some species play a role as decomposers, breaking down organic matter.
Identified on: 9/1/2025