Spotted Mediterranean Cockroach (also known as Tawny Cockroach or Pallid Cockroach)
Scientific Name: Ectobius pallidus
Order & Family: Order: Blattodea, Family: Ectobiidae (formerly Blattellidae)
Size: Approximately 7-10 mm (0.28-0.39 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Primarily an outdoor species found in leaf litter, gardens, woodpiles, and natural wooded areas. They are attracted to lights at night and may sometimes get indoors accidentally.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly feeds on decaying organic matter, leaf litter, and detritus.
Behavior Patterns
Unlike many indoor cockroaches, the Tawny Cockroach is primarily an outdoor species attracted to lights at night. They can fly well and are often found near lights on homes, sometimes accidentally entering structures. Females carry their ootheca (egg case) for a short period before depositing it.
Risks & Benefits
Generally considered a nuisance pest rather than a health risk. They do not infest homes in the same way as common indoor cockroach species and are not associated with disease transmission in the same manner. Benefits include being part of the detritivore community, helping decompose organic matter in their natural habitats.
Identified on: 9/2/2025