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Life Cycle - Each female produces 4 - 8 egg capsules in her lifetime.
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Egg capsules are 8mm long, chestnut brown colour, with about 18 segments, produced at 3 - 4 week intervals.
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30 - 40 eggs are contained in each egg capsule.
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The females carries the capsules on her abdomen until they hatch, occasionally depositing the capsules prior to hatching.
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The larval stage egg - nymph lasts 40 - 128 days dependent on the environment.
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During development there are usually 6 nymph stages
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Full development takes 6 - 7 weeks
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Adult life span is up to 300 days.
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Common pest species are the German Cockroach, Gisborne Cockroach & Native Bush Cockroach. German Cockroaches, are by far the most widely distributed disease spreading cockroaches worldwide.
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The Gisborne Cockroach is also commonly associated with people and is distinguishable by its distinct pale stripes down either side.
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The Native Bush Cockroach stripes are less distinct and is much smaller than the Gisborne Cockroach. Cockroaches prefer warm, moist, sheltered areas close to food and water. They are extremely hardy and can survive, reproduce and adapt in extremes of heat and cold.
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Adults are pale, brown, approximately 12mm long with 2 dark stripes on the thorax.
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Both sexes have wings but rarely fly.
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Nocturnal and omnivorous roaches damage many articles such as foodstuffs, books, tapestries, leather goods, paintings, often leaving behind a musty, stale, characteristic odour.
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Fruit and vegetables often provide an adequate supply of water for the Roaches.
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Cockroaches produce filth, contaminate food and pollute water supplies. They are vectors of many diseases such as salmonella food poisoning, gastroenteritis, staphylococcus, diarrhoea and typhoid and are public enemy number one in health and food premises.
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