Infographic.
COCKROACH
Panel 1: Title & Overview
American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
“A Simple Life Cycle with Powerful Adaptations”
Brief Description:
- One of the most common indoor pests worldwide
- Known for fast reproduction and survival skills
- Health hazards in food storage areas due to their ability to spread bacteria
Panel 2: Appearance, and Body Part
How to recognize it?
- one of the largest pest roaches, measuring 35-40 mm
- are reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-eight pattern on the back of their head
Visual idea: Labeled diagram of a cockroach body
(Pathania, 2020) *Reference Image lang this
Panel 3 & 4: Life Cycle
(Bruckbauer, 2024) *Reference Image lang also this
Why Incomplete Metamorphosis?
Cockroaches have incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolism) because their life cycle
skips the distinct larval and pupal stages, developing instead from an egg to a nymph
(miniature adult) and then to an adult through gradual molting, with nymphs looking like
smaller, wingless versions of the adults that share similar habitats and diets. This
three-stage process (egg → nymph → adult) allows for rapid growth and survival in diverse
environments, as nymphs can eat and live like adults early on.
Stages of Cockroach Incomplete Metamorphosis
1. Egg (Ootheca): Eggs are laid in protective casings called oothecae, which are
deposited in safe locations. These eggs hatch in about 45 days.
2. Nymph: After hatching, nymphs emerge looking like smaller, lighter-colored versions
of adults, but without fully developed wings. They grow by shedding their exoskeleton
(molting) multiple times, with each stage (instar) being larger. Nymphs take 6-12 moths
to mature. Molts 6-14 times (mostly 13 times) before metamorphosis
3. Adult: The final molt results in the fully mature, winged adult, capable of
reproduction. Adult can live up to one year.
Panel 5: Diet, Habitat, and Behavior
What do they eat?
- are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders (such as, sweets, beer, leather, bakery
products, etc.)
- have been observed to feed upon dead or wounded cockroaches of their own or other
species.
Where do they live?
- generally live in moist areas but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water
- prefer high temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F) and do not tolerate low temperatures
- are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations,
and walkways adjacent to buildings
What behavior do they have??
- Mostly active at night (nocturnal)
- They can fly, unlike other cockroach species.
Visual idea: Kitchen scene highlighting hiding spots
Panel 6: Taxonomic Classification and Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Periplaneta
Species: P. americana
Interesting Facts about Them:
- Immature cockroaches resemble adults except they are wingless.
- It is considered one of the fastest running insects.
- American cockroach nymphs are capable of limb regeneration.
- Has the longest life cycle, up to 700 days
Visual idea: Cockroach illustration + house/kitchen icon
References:
American cockroach (Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)). (n.d.).
[Link]
Lei. (2024, May 29). Cockroach species in the Philippines. Pest Control Services in the
Philippines | Environet.
[Link]
/taxa/82231-Periplaneta-americana
MacDonald, S. (2025, October 15). How Insects Grow: Why cockroach nymphs cause
confusion - UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County. UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County.
[Link]
se-confusion/#:~:text=Complete%20metamorphosis:%20These%20insects%20go,the%20ad
ult%2C%20just%20without%20wings.
(Image)
Bruckbauer, M. (2024, September 27). Everything to know about the cockroach life cycle.
Family Handyman.
[Link]
Z3p_FNgaJADOXernqmG6BnI6Lh1QZpf-_I_3Za
Pathania, K. (2020, August 22). Periplaneta americana- The American Cockroach. Pinterest.
[Link]