Oriental Cockroach
The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is a dark, shiny cockroach, sometimes called a waterbug, that lives in damp, cool places such as drains, cellars and sewers. It originated in or near the Mediterranean region and now occurs worldwide.
The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is a dark, shiny cockroach, sometimes called a waterbug, that lives in damp, cool places such as drains, cellars and sewers. It originated in or near the Mediterranean region and now occurs worldwide.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Oriental Cockroach in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Ecdysozoa lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
A Cool-Loving Cockroach
Unlike the German cockroach, it prefers temperatures around 20 to 29 °C and lives outdoors in warm months, in leaf litter and garbage. It is slow and cannot climb smooth surfaces such as glass or porcelain, so it often gets trapped in sinks and tubs.
Wings Reduced
Males have short wings that cover only part of the abdomen and females have mere stubs, so the species cannot fly. Egg cases are hidden in dark, damp places.
Health Concerns
Cockroaches spread bacteria on their legs and produce allergens. Reducing moisture and sealing entry points are the most effective controls.
Oriental Cockroach at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Blatta orientalis |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Blattodea |
| Family | Blattidae |
| Field Guide group | Ecdysozoa: Hexapoda (Insects) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Glossy dark-brown scavenger of damp cellars; females have only tiny wing pads and males have short wings that cannot fly. |
| Order | Blattodea |
| Flight | None |