Bug Identifier
German Cockroach
Community identification

German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

Order & Family
Blattodea, Ectobiidae
Size
1.1 to 1.6 cm (0.43 to 0.63 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Prefers warm, humid environments, especially indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where food and moisture are readily available. Found globally in human structures.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers, feeding on almost anything, including food scraps, grease, starches, sweets, meats, and even non-food items like glue, soap, and paper.

Behavior Patterns

Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal and gregarious, often found in clusters in dark, warm, and humid places. They are fast runners and can squeeze into tight spaces. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can transmit bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) and other pathogens, cause allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals, and contaminate food and surfaces. They are a significant household pest. Benefits: No direct benefits to humans, but in natural ecosystems, they play a minor role as decomposers.