Know Your Enemy
Accurate identification of pests is as important as choosing the best preventive pest management available on the market today. Preventive Pest Control has compiled a list of most common pests to help you identify the problem.
Bark Cockroach
(Lexta granicollis)
Characteristics
The Bark cockroach has a flat and oval shape body that is 2/5 to 1 1/5 inch long. They belong to the family Blaberidai, which is the family of giant cockroaches. They have a gray to brown color and the head is hidden under the front of the body. The male and the female are different with the male having short or full wings while the female does not have wings. They are extremely flattened that allows them able to blend well in their environment.
Habitat
This cockroach is a native to Australia and is commonly found in barks and logs in forests, woodlands, gardens, and heath.
Behavior
The bark cockroach is commonly found on large loose bark of trees or under logs. They do not pose any threat indoors since they prefer to live in the soil or under litter. When threatened, these cockroaches can run at a slow pace and will just move back to the dirt until they are hidden. Just like any other cockroaches, the bark cockroach prefers to live in groups. They can communicate with each other with the use of their scent. These cockroaches are also nocturnal and can be seen being active at night, however, this species is seldom seen because they prefer to stay near their habitat and may not like to wander around.
Food
Their food mostly consists of fiber from the woods.
Life Cycle
A female may have 32 eggs inside her ootheca. After 30 days the eggs will hatch. Their life cycle starts as partially grown nymphs overwinter under loose bark of trees. It will take several molts before the nymphs become adults, and 10 months before they become adults, then they will live for one to two years, depending on their environment.
Other Information and Tips
Because they are native cockroaches, the bark cockroach does not pose a threat to most homeowners since they are commonly found in their natural habitat. When these roaches are found indoors, they may wander aimlessly, probably looking for means to go back to their homes. They will not be able to breed indoors and will eventually die because of the lack of moisture they need to survive. It may not be practical to call in a professional exterminator when it comes to bark cockroaches. For some individuals, finding a bark cockroach can even be amazing as they look like a bark that cannot run fast even if they see a threat in front of them.
Photo: Laxta granicollis by Donald Hobern, used under CC BY 2.0 / resized from original