Bug Identifier
Oriental cockroach (likely)
Community identification

Oriental cockroach (likely)

Blatta orientalis

Order & Family
Blattodea, Blattidae
Size
Adults are typically 20–27 mm (0.8–1.1 in) long; nymphs are smaller and wingless.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp, cool locations such as basements, drains, crawl spaces, and areas beneath appliances. They may enter buildings through cracks, pipes, and other concealed routes.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers that consume food scraps, starches, decaying organic matter, and occasionally animal material.

Behavior Patterns

Mostly nocturnal, fast-moving, and strongly associated with moisture; they hide during daylight. Females produce egg cases, and nymphs develop through several molts without a pupal stage.

Risks & Benefits

They can contaminate food and surfaces with microbes and may aggravate allergies or asthma. They contribute modestly to decomposition outdoors but are generally considered household pests.