American Cockroach

Typically found in damp, dark areas such as basements, sewers, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.

Opportunistic omnivores that scavenge on decaying organic matter, food scraps, starch, and sweets.

Primarily nocturnal insects that move very quickly. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). Adults are capable of flight but rarely do so.

Risks: Can spread bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) and trigger allergies or asthma. Benefits/Ecosystem: They serve as decomposers in nature, recycling nutrients from decaying matter.