American cockroach

Scientific name: Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)
(Blattaria: Blattidae)

Facts: This species is one of our larger cockroaches reaching about 2 inches in length. They are a reddish-brown with the margins of the pronotum light brown or yellowish.

American cockroaches live in wood piles, decaying trees, sewer systems and outdoors and inside buildings. They can be common household pests and eat a wide variety of foods. Adults are capable of flying.

Photo credit: Mike Merchant, Extension Entomology, Texas A&M University