Cockroach nymph (likely German or Oriental)
Scientific Name: Blattodea (genus Blattella or Blatta)
Order & Family: Order: Blattodea, Family: Blattidae or Ectobiidae
Size: 3mm to 10mm (nymph stage shown); adults grow up to 15-25mm depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Warm, dark, moist environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces near plumbing or food sources.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous scavenger; eats food scraps, starch, grease, organic decaying matter, and even glue or book bindings.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and highly secretive. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). Nymphs like the one pictured shed their skin several times as they grow.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include contamination of surfaces with pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli), triggering of asthma and allergies via droppings/molted skins, and indicates a possible infestation. No significant ecosystem benefits in indoor urban environments.
Identified on: 1/2/2026