Species Cryptocercus punctulatus - Brown-hooded Cockroach

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Food · Internet References

Brown-hooded Cockroach - Cryptocercus punctulatus

brown beetle? - Cryptocercus punctulatus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Dictyoptera (Mantids and Cockroaches)

Suborder Blattaria (Cockroaches)

Family Cryptocercidae

Genus Cryptocercus

Species punctulatus (Brown-hooded Cockroach)

Other Common Names

Wingless Wood Roach

Explanation of Names

The pronotum has a broad margin raised above the head, thought to protect it while burrowing.

Size

Adults 23 - 30 mm

Identification

Wingless. Brown to black. More elongated in shape than other roaches.

Food

This species feeds on rotting logs, and is not a house pest like many other roaches, in fact it might be considered an important recycler of nutrients in decomposing wood.

Internet References

Rotting Logs, Wood Roaches and Parental Care

Wood Chewers

Three New Species of the Wood Roach - describes how DNA testing has determined that not all US Cryptocercus are the same species, as was previously thought.

Urban Entomology

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason
Last updated 14 November, 2005 - 7:56am

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