Cockroach Life Cycle Presentation PDF

# Life Cycle of Cockroach - The word cockroach comes from the Spanish word "cucaracha" which means "crazy bug". - There are about 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world. About 50-60 species live in the United States. - Cockroaches generally prefer warm, humid, dark areas. - The cockroa...

# Life Cycle of Cockroach - The word cockroach comes from the Spanish word "cucaracha" which means "crazy bug". - There are about 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world. About 50-60 species live in the United States. - Cockroaches generally prefer warm, humid, dark areas. - The cockroach can live without its head for an entire week. - German cockroaches are very small. They can squeeze through a crack that is about 1/16th of an inch wide. - Cockroaches will eat almost anything (omnivores): left-over human food, paper, wood, leather, cigarette butts, tooth paste, coffee grinds, glue, soap, feces, fabric, shoes, paint, the glue on the back of wallpaper, human hair, fingernails, etc. ## Species of Cockroaches - **Oriental Cockroach** - **Brown Cockroach** - **Albino Cockroach** - **Brazilian Cockroach** - **Cockroach Rhinoceros** - **American Cockroach** ## Life Cycle of Cockroach - The cockroach lifecycle actually has three developmental stages. These stages are known as the egg, the nymph, and the adult stages. - Some cockroaches choose to keep their eggs safe internally whilst others still carry the case around with them until the eggs are ready to hatch. - The cockroach lifecycle gets a bit more exciting when the eggs hatch and the young cockroaches are very small and known as **nymphs**. - The nymphs must go through several stages of molting, where their body will be quite soft and white. Nymphs are usually white. Shortly after birth, they turn brown, and their exoskeletons harden. - Each time the molting process is completed the cockroach will get bigger, change in color, and look more like an adult cockroach. - The nymph stage of the cockroach lifecycle can take anywhere from a month and a half to several years, depending on the environment, the type of cockroach, and the prevalence of **cockroach disease** and parasites. - In some species, this process takes only a few weeks. In others, like the **oriental cockroach**, it takes between one and two years. The overall life span of cockroaches differs as well -- some live only a few months while others live for more than two years. - The number of young that one roach can bear also varies considerably. A German cockroach and her young can produce 300,000 more roaches in one year. An **American cockroach** and her young can produce a comparatively small 800 new roaches per year. ## The Life Cycle of a Cockroach An image with a diagram showing the cycle from egg to nymph to adult. The cycle is 6-7 weeks from nymph to adult and 9-13 months from adult to egg. ## Nymph - Cockroach eggs hatch because of the combined pressure of the hatchlings within. - Upon emerging from the egg case, or oothecae, this immature form of cockroach is known as a **nymph**. ## Adult Cockroach - There are several different types of cockroaches and cockroach identification is often quite simple when you know what to look for. - They generally prefer warm, dark, damp environments. Needless to say, it is incredibly important that action be taken immediately to rid your home of cockroaches the first instance you see them. ## Quiz An image of various types of cockroaches. ## Cockroach Facts - Cockroaches are dirty. - Cockroaches have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. As a matter of fact, these insects are incredibly hardy. - Cockroaches tend to feed on old food. These substances often contain bacteria and are carried into your home. ## An image of a diagram showing the cycle from egg to nymph to adult. The cycle is 6-7 weeks from nymph to adult and 9-13 months from adult to egg. # Thank You!