American cockroach
American cockroach | |
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An American cockroach in action - first in real time, then slowed down to one-tenth speed | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Blattodea |
Family: | Blattidae |
Genus: | Periplaneta |
Species: | P. americana
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Binomial name | |
Periplaneta americana | |
Synonyms | |
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The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the largest species of common
Despite their name, American cockroaches are native to Africa and the Middle East. They are believed to have been introduced to the Americas only from the 17th century AD onward as a result of human commercial patterns,[2] including the Atlantic slave trade.[5]
Distribution
Despite the name, none of the Periplaneta species is native to the
Biology
Characteristics
Of all common cockroach species, the American cockroach has the largest body size; molts 6–14 times (mostly 13 times) before metamorphosis; and has the longest life cycle, up to about 700 days.[6]
It has an average length around 4 cm (1.6 in) and is about 7 mm (0.28 in) tall.[7] They are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the pronotum, the body region behind the head. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except they are wingless.
The cockroach is divided into three sections; the body is flattened and broadly oval, with a shield-like pronotum covering its head. A pronotum is a plate-like structure that covers all or part of the dorsal surface of the thorax of certain insects. They also have chewing mouth parts, long, segmented antennae, and leathery fore wings with delicate hind wings. The third section of the cockroach is the abdomen.[8]
The insect can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when a threat is perceived, and can fit into small cracks and under doors despite its fairly large size. It is considered one of the fastest running insects.[9]
In an experiment, a P. americana registered a record speed of 5.4 km/h (3.4 mph), about 50 body lengths per second, which would be comparable to a human running at 330 km/h (210 mph).[10][11]
It has a pair of large compound eyes, each having over 3500 individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal apertures which provide a kind of vision known as mosaic vision, with more sensitivity but less resolution, particularly useful at night, hence called nocturnal vision). It is a very active night insect that shuns light.[12]
American cockroach nymphs are capable of
Morphology
The American cockroach shows a characteristic insect morphology with its body bearing divisions as head, trunk, and abdomen. The trunk, or thorax, is divisible into prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax. Each thoracic segment gives rise to a pair of walking appendages (known as cursorial legs). The organism bears two pairs of wings. The fore wings, known as tegmina, arise from mesothorax and are dark and opaque. The hind wings arise from the metathorax and are used in flight, though cockroaches rarely resort to flight. The abdomen is divisible into 10 segments, each of which is surrounded by chitinous exoskeleton plates called sclerites, including dorsal tergites, ventral sternites, and lateral pleurites.
Life cycle
American cockroaches have three developmental stages:
Sex Pheromone
The sex Pheromone of the American cockroach is the sequiterpene, (1Z,5E)-1,10(14)-diepoxy-4(15),5-germacradien-9-one,which has been given the trivial name periplanone-B. This pheromone was isolated from the feces of virgin female cockroaches. Previously, 2,2-dimethyl-3-isopropylidenecyclopropyl propionate had been thought to be the structure of this pheromone, but on synthesis was shown to be inactive. The structure determination of this pheromone was an eventful chapter in the history of pheromone chemistry. [14]
Parthenogenesis
When female American cockroaches are housed in groups, this close association promotes facultative parthenogenic reproduction.[6][15] The oothecae are produced asexually, without fertilization.[15] The process by which the eggs are produced is automixis;[16] during automixis, meiosis occurs, but instead of giving rise to haploid gametes as ordinarily happens, diploid gametes are produced (probably by terminal fusion of meiotic products) that can then develop into female cockroaches. Eggs produced by parthenogenesis have lower viability than eggs produced by sexual reproduction.[15]
Genetics
The American cockroach genome is the second-largest insect genome on record, after Locusta migratoria. Around 60% of its genome is composed of repeat elements. Around 90% of the genome can be found in other members of Blattodea. The genome codes for a large number of chemoreceptor families, including 522 taste receptors and 154 olfactory receptors. The 522 taste receptors comprise the largest number found among insects for which genomes have been sequenced. About 329 of the taste receptors are involved in bitter taste perception.[6] These traits, along with enlarged groups of genes relating to detoxification, the immune system, and growth and reproduction, are believed to be part of the reasons behind the cockroach's ability to adapt to human living spaces.[17]
Diet
American cockroaches are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders that eat materials such as cheese, beer, tea, leather, bakery products, starch in book bindings, manuscripts, glue, hair, flakes of dried skin, dead animals, plant materials, soiled clothing, and glossy paper with starch sizing.
Flight
In the immature (nymph) stage, American cockroaches are wingless and incapable of flight. Adults have useful wings and can fly for short distances. If they start from a high place, such as a tree, they can glide for some distance. However, despite their ability to do so, American cockroaches aren't regular fliers. They can run very fast and, when frightened, these insects more commonly scatter on foot.
Habitat
American cockroaches generally live in moist areas but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer high temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F) and do not tolerate low temperatures. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. In residential areas outside the tropics, these cockroaches live in basements and sewers and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather.
Relationship with humans
Risk to humans
The odorous secretions produced by American cockroaches can alter the flavor of food. Also, if populations of cockroaches are high, a strong concentration of this odorous secretion can be present.[13] Cockroaches can pick up disease-causing bacteria,[19] such as Salmonella, on their legs and later deposit them on foods and cause food poisoning or infection if they walk on the food. House dust containing cockroach feces and body parts can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in certain individuals.[20]
At least 22 species of pathogenic human bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans, as well as five species of helminthic worms, have been isolated from field-collected P. americana (L.)[21]
Control as pests
In cold climates, these cockroaches may move indoors, seeking warmer environments and food. Cockroaches may enter houses through sewer connections, under doors, or around plumbing, air ducts, or other openings in the foundation. Cockroach populations may be controlled through the use of insecticides. Covering any cracks or crevices through which cockroaches may enter and cleaning any spills or messes that have been made is beneficial, so cockroaches are not able to enter and are not attracted to the food source. Another way to prevent an infestation of cockroaches is to thoroughly check any material brought inside. Cockroaches and egg cases can be hidden inside or on furniture, in boxes, suitcases, grocery bags, etc.[13]
Use in traditional Chinese medicine
The American cockroach has been used as an ingredient in
Comparison of three common cockroaches
Roach | German cockroach | Oriental cockroach | American cockroach |
Size | 13–16 mm (0.51–0.63 in)[22] | 18–29 mm (0.71–1.14 in)[22] | 29–53 mm (1.1–2.1 in)[22] |
Preferred temperature | 15–35 °C (59–95 °F)[23] | 20–30 °C (68–86 °F)[22] | 20–29 °C (68–84 °F)[23] |
Nymphal development[note 1] | 54–215 days (at 24–35 °C (75–95 °F))[22] |
164–542 days (at 22–30 °C (72–86 °F))[22] |
150–360 days (at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F))[22] |
Lifespan | Around 200 days[22] | 35–190 days[22] | 90–706 days[22] |
Able to fly? | Uncommon[note 2][22] | No[22] | Yes[note 3][22] |
Notes
- ^ Dependent on several factors, including temperature (significantly), sex, and nutrition.
- ^ German cockroaches can glide, especially males, but powered flight is uncommon.
- ^ American cockroaches can fly short distances, usually starting from high places, but real flight is uncommon, despite popular belief.
References
- ISBN 978-0-674-00884-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-412-16140-7.
- ^ Poertner, Bo (10 December 1997). "Palmetto Bug - Roach Or Beetle? Quit Debating, We Have The Answer". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ Encyclopedia of Life. "Periplaneta americana - American Cockroach". Retrieved 2013-12-09.
- ^ "American Cockroaches, Racism, and the Ecology of the Slave Ship". 24 October 2017.
- ^ PMID 29559629. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)license
- ^ Barbara, Kathryn A. (2008). "American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)". Retrieved 2008-07-10.
- ^ Bell, William (2007). Cockroaches. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
- ^ Merritt, Thomas M. (July 31, 1999). "Chapter 39 — Fastest Runner". Book of Insect Records. University of Florida. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009.
- ^ Shukolyukov, S.A. (September 27, 2001). "Discovering the Achievements of the American Cockroach". University Science News. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
- ^ "Fastest Land Insect". Archived from the original on 2008-02-24.
- PMID 7276812.
- ^ a b c d Jacobs, Steve. "American Cockroaches". The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- doi:10.1021/ed059p35.
- ^ PMID 28331632.
- S2CID 3879178.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
- ^ Jones, Susan C. (2008). "Agricultural and Natural Resources Fact Sheet: American Cockroach (HYG-2096-08)" (PDF). Ohio State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-17.
- PMID 1344954.
- ^ "New York City Environmental Health Services". Archived from the original on 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- PMID 2056501.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-521-81253-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-135-81033-7.
External links
- An Ohio State University Entomology article on the American cockroach (PDF)
- Friday Fellow: American Cockroach at Earthling Nature
- Gallery of cockroaches
- Order Blattodea, Exploring California Insects
- University of Minnesota Extension - Cockroaches article
- American cockroach egg parasitoid on the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures website