PERIPLANETA AMERICANA

SPECIES: PERIPLANETA AMERICANA (order Blattodea)

COMMON NAME: red cockroach American cockroach.

SIZE: 35-50 mm.

LIFECYCLE: Egg - nymph - adult (lives for 1-2 years); Cycle Period: 270 - 365 days; Egg sac size: 8/10 mm; No. female ootheca: 10-15, up to 50, containing 8-16 eggs each.

FEATURES: Of American origin, but now common in all the world's warmer regions. Rust coloured, both genders have well-developed wings that are used for short trips. An excellent climber, the American Cockroach's specific humidity and temperature needs limits it to Italy's port cities. Large colonies are sometimes found in food industries due to the sugary substances used in products like soft drinks and jams. In urban settlements, they primarily use sewer networks to get around.

HABITAT: Hot-humid environments (30°-33°C) such as sewage outfalls, bathroom pipes, etc.

DIET: Omnivorous, but prefers rotting organic substances; damages book bindings, clothing, paper, etc. Adults can handle extended periods of fasting, but not a lack of water.

DAMAGE: cockroaches are mechanical, active vectors (defecating and regurgitating while feeding and contaminating food, tableware and utensils) of several species of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacterial dysentery, typhoid, polio, cholera, botulism, salmonella, various allergies, etc.

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