Description:

Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella Longipalpa) both adults and nymphs can be distinguished by the two brownish, broad -bands across the body at the base of the abdomen and at mid-abdomen. Both males and females are quite active, adult males fly readily when disturbed.

Photo attribution link: By Saphan [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Appearance:

Male and female brown-banded cockroaches are about 1/2 inch long and light brown, with fully developed wings.

 

Lifecycle:

The brown-banded cockroach has three developmental stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Eggs are laid in capsules, which the female carries for about 30 hours before she fastens it on walls, ceilings, and in protected and hidden areas. During her adult life a female produces about 14 egg capsules, each containing an average of 13 eggs. The length of the egg stage varies from 37 to 103 days, depending on temperature. The nymphal stage ranges from 8 to 31 weeks. A female adult has a life span of 13 to 45 weeks; each female produces about 600 descendants per year.

 

Habits:

Brown-banded cockroaches prefer warm and dry locations, such as near refrigerator motor housings, on the upper walls of cabinets, and inside pantries, closets, dressers, and furniture in general. They can also be found behind picture frames and beneath tables and chairs, and inside clocks, radios, light switch plates, door frames, and dressers. It is common to find them hiding nearer the ceiling than the floor and away from water sources. They live exclusively indoors. Brown Banded Cockroaches can be found in homes, apartments, hotels and offices. They are often transported in furniture and will quickly infest an entire building.