The American cockroach or red cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is an insect of the Blattidae family that can reach more than 5 cm in length, which makes it the largest common cockroach species. It has an almost uniform reddish-brown color, except for the margins of the pronotum, which is yellowish.
Despite its name, this species is native to Africa and the Middle East and is currently distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world thanks to accidental introduction by man. It lives in basements, sewers, crevices, urban public spaces, garbage dumps, among other spaces.
Periplaneta americana. Taken and edited from: User Preiselbeere on de.wikipedia.
References
- M. Maketon, A. Hominchan & D. Hotaka (2010). Control of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and German cockroach (Blattella germanica) by entomopathogenic nematodes. Colombian Journal of Entomology
- American cockroach. On Wikipedia. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
- Blattodea. On Wikipedia. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
- RJ Brenner (2002). Cockroaches (Blattaria). Medical and Veterinary Entomology
- Biological control of cockroach. In Spotlight on… Recovered from: cabweb.org
- CA Nalepa (2010) Cockroaches. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior.
- M. Fernández, DM Martínez, M. Tantaleán & R. Martínez (2001). Parasites present in Periplaneta americana Linnaeus "domestic cockroach" from the city of Ica. Peruvian Journal of Biology.