Species Blatta lateralis - Turkestan Cockroach

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Internet References

Cockroach with Corn Chip - Blatta lateralis - female

Turkestan Cockroach - Blatta lateralis - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)

Family Blattidae

Genus Blatta

Species lateralis (Turkestan Cockroach)

Other Common Names

Turkistan Cockroach (alternate spelling)

Explanation of Names

named after Turkestan, a region in central Asia which is part of the native range of this species

Size

body length about 15-28 mm

Identification

Male: reddish-brown with pale cream or whitish lateral strip on pronotum and along outer margin at base of wings; wings long, completely covering abdomen

Female: dark brown with very short wings that do not extend over abdomen; short whitish lateral dash at base of wing

Range

southern California to Texas

introduced to United States in the late 1970s and early 80s, presumably by military personnel returning from the Middle East where the species is native

Habitat

semi-arid to arid desert areas, in water meter boxes, cracks between blocks of poured concrete, compost piles, leaf litter, potted plants, and sewer systems

Internet References

drawings of male and female plus habitat and description (U. of California at Davis)

photo of male and female and illustrated species account (gotroaches.com)

North American distribution and diet (Joanne Littlefield, U. of Arizona)

description plus habitat and control methods (L.M. English, New Mexico State U.)

Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 18 September, 2007 - 3:56pm
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod
Last updated 16 November, 2007 - 4:05pm

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