Explanation of Names
Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Linnaeus 1758)
Identification
Adults with pale leading edge on the dark brown to black pronotum. Wings olive-green to brown, entirely cover the abdomen, (except on particularly well fed or very gravid individuals):
Nymphs typically dark brown in coloration and have no noticeable patterns or markings on the exoskeleton. The nymphs are also easily recognizable compared to some other Blaberid nymphs, due to the smooth appearance of the head, thorax and upper abdomen segments, and rough, matte appearance of the last few abdominal segments. However, it is worth noting that
Panchlora nivea nymphs also have a similar appearance:
Range
circumtropical, of Asian origin
(1); in our area, FL-TX (elsewhere in the US may inhabit greenhouses and other indoor areas where tropical plants are grown)
Remarks
Reproduces through
parthenogenesis in the US, where no males are found. It has two sexes in some parts of the world (Europe and Indo-Malaysia), though. The egg capsule is retained inside the female's abdomen until young are ready to emerge:
