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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Cockroaches and Termites (Blattodea) » Blattoidea » Blattidae » Blattinae » Periplaneta » Smoky Brown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
Photo#233721
NOT a cockroach! - Periplaneta fuliginosa
Copyright © 2008 Jane

NOT a cockroach! - Periplaneta fuliginosa
Unfortunately, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
October 14, 2008
Size: 1.25inch
OK, I'm Scottish. I've never seen a cockroach.
When this thing arrived in our balcony in Myrtle Beach, I screamed like a girl. A neighbouring guest shusshed me over the railings saying it was nothing like a cockroach, get a grip.
Can you tell me what our wee visitor (who likes dog food) is?

Thanks
Jane
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Contributed by Jane on 14 October, 2008 - 11:23pm
Last updated 18 October, 2008 - 1:29am

ID...
Specifically, you have found a smokey-brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa) which is very common in the Southern US. The good news is that they prefer to live and breed outdoors.

Please set up a species page for this guy, and include reference #59673 - none seems to exist at the moment.
… Ross Hill, 14 October, 2008 - 11:41pm login or register to post comments

 
The page was created..
04 June, 2007.

See HERE

I also moved the above mentioned image...
… Ron M., 14 October, 2008 - 11:47pm login or register to post comments

 
Sorry...
I didn't realize the page already exists (couldn't find it with a search because I spelled it smokEy). We are good to go then. Thanks Ron.
… Ross Hill, 14 October, 2008 - 11:49pm login or register to post comments

 
thanks
Hey Ross,
Good Scottish name.
I do apologise, but I've no idea how to set up a subspecies.
Could you lead the way?

Please?

Many thanks
Jane
… Jane, 14 October, 2008 - 11:44pm login or register to post comments

Yep
a cockroach. :) But don't worry. My wife still screams and calls me every time she sees one -- and she's been to Africa where they really know how to grow them.
… Steve Scott, 14 October, 2008 - 11:30pm login or register to post comments

 
Oh man...
Really? This guy had such a plausible "*something* meadow bug" name to give me, and a proper southern accent that I thought he knew something reassuring.

Nasty things. In Scotland we have zoos that house giant hissing cockroaches, however they are ornamental and not in the least disease carrying. We actually pay to hold them.

Are all cockroaches here to be avoided or is that bad press?

Jane
… Jane, 14 October, 2008 - 11:41pm login or register to post comments

 
I enjoy getting close to bugs but...
I still shiver at the sight of cockroaches. Can't stand them. I can't even kill them. I call my wife... :(

If I saw this in my house I would have to move out of it's way.

Here in Louisiana, a lot of people call these palmetto bugs. I think that is just the inability to accept the reality that they have a cockroach in their house.
… Ron M., 14 October, 2008 - 11:38pm login or register to post comments

 
meadow bug
Yip, I'm thinking that was my neighbour's motivation.

Having none of the cultural dislike, I seem to have indepentantly developed a BLEH when it comes to cockroaches. I'm sure they are wonderful things however I do not want them anywhere near me.
I've heard they leave a smell behind?
… Jane, 14 October, 2008 - 11:48pm login or register to post comments

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