Lesser Cockroach

Ectobius panzeri

Appearance

Lesser Cockroach
  • Males: 6–8mm; females: 5–7mm.
  • Pale to dark brown, legs dark brown or black. Tegmina (leathery outer wings) are pale–yellow brown with dark speckles.

Lifecycle

  • Egg cases, known as oothecae, are produced and carried by the female for one or two days between June and September.
  • They overwinter on the ground and the nymphs hatch in the spring.
  • The nymphs hibernate during the late stages of development to become adult in May–June.
  • The adults die in September – October.

Habits

  • Adults are not easy to find.
  • These cockroaches have a preference for coastal and sandy plains.
  • Males only fly in warm weather.