Explanation of Names
PANCHLORA: from the Greek "pan; pantos" (all) + "chloros" (green); a good descriptive name because P. nivea looks all-green from a distance [a thin yellow margin can be seen at close range]
NIVEA: from the Latin "niveus" (snowy); some individuals have a paler pronotum (pale greenish yellow) but I wouldn't describe it as resembling snow
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America
Size
usually 20-25 mm; rarely up to 50 mm
Identification
adult is bright light green with thin yellow margin on pronotum and anterior half of elytra; face white; top of head dark brown
nymph is brown or black
Range
along gulf coast from Florida to central Texas; most common in Florida
native to Cuba
Habitat
trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, piles of leaves, mulch, lumber piles, firewood piles; rarely found indoors and not normally considered a pest
Remarks
acitve at night and may be attracted to artificial light; does not breed indoors
presumably found on bananas in its native Cuba; two early records from Mississippi are considered to be adventive introductions along with shipments of bananas
popular as a pet ($25.00 a doz.)
here due to its bright green color and because it is not an invasive indoor species
Internet References
live adult image [courtesy Jim Castner, U. of Floridae] plus common name reference [Cuban Cockroach] and other info (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)
live adult images (lucihormetica.de, Germany)
occurrence in Mississippi and relationship with bananas (Southern Research Station, United States Dept. Agriculture)
live adult image plus common name reference [Green Banana Cockroach], description, biology, and other info (wikipedia.org)
adult image (U. of Minnesota)
live adult image (bugsincyberspace.com, Peter Clausen, Arizona)
adult illustration plus behavior, habitat, and control (terminix.com)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 15 September, 2005 - 8:52pm
Additional contributions by
Mike QuinnLast updated 11 August, 2006 - 10:13am
