Cockroach
Scientific Name: There are over 4,600 species of cockroaches worldwide. Based on the image, it's hard to definitively identify the exact species, but common pest species include Periplaneta americana (American Cockroach) or Blatta orientalis (Oriental Cockroach).
Order & Family: Order: Blattodea, Family: 여러 families exist within this order, but commonly encountered pest species belong to families such as Blattidae or Ectobiidae.
Size: Size varies greatly by species. Smallest species can be a few millimeters, while some tropical species can exceed 80 mm. Common pest species typically range from about 1.5 cm to 5 cm (e.g., German cockroach 1.1-1.6 cm, American cockroach 3.5-5 cm). The one in the image appears to be on the larger side, possibly consistent with an American or Oriental cockroach.
Natural Habitat
Cockroaches are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Many pest species prefer warm, dark, and humid environments, often infesting human dwellings, restaurants, food processing plants, sewers, and other structures where food and moisture are readily available.
Diet & Feeding
Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers. They will eat almost anything organic, including food scraps, decaying matter, sweets, starches, grease, meat products, paper, fabric, glue, and even human hair and dead skin flakes.
Behavior Patterns
Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day and emerging at night to forage for food. They are known for their rapid reproduction rates and ability to spread quickly. They are social insects, often living in groups. They are also known for their agility and ability to run quickly and often, some species can fly.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include spreading diseases (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli), triggering allergies and asthma, contaminating food, and causing an unpleasant odor in heavily infested areas. They do not sting or bite frequently. In natural ecosystems, some species play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling, but pest species offer very little benefit in human environments.
Identified on: 9/6/2025