PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds

PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds
ORDER BLATTODEA
Cockroaches
NO. SPECIES
IN AUSTRALIA
SOME
DISTINCTIVE
FEATURES
LIFE CYCLE
Over 450 Australian species, most live under stones, logs and bark, some are
useful predators, most are not pests. The best known cockroaches are the
introduced species that infest houses, restaurants and other buildings. Due to
global changes, evolution scientists warn that pest animals such as cockroaches
and rats will flourish at the expense of more specialized wild organisms.
www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/blattodea.html
www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/cockroaches.htm
ADULT Body 1. Oval shape, up to 70 mm long. The body is
flattened so they can make use of tight hiding
places, eg cracks and crevices.
2. Thorax covered by a large plate (pronotum)
which extends partly over the head.
3. Two compound eyes, two simple eyes (ocelli).
4. Long many segmented antennae.
5. Prominent cerci.
NYMPH
Wings
Legs
1. Winged or wingless, two pairs wings when present. In
winged species females are wingless. Many do not fly.
2. Hardened forewings (tegmina) cover membranous
hindwings. Wings folded left over right when at rest.
1. They can run quickly if disturbed.
2. Long spiny legs.
Generally resemble adults, except for their wings, genitals and
sometimes body covering.
There is a gradual metamorphosis - egg, nymph (several stages) and adult.
Eggs are laid in an egg case (capsule) containing 16-40 eggs. In some species
this is carried by the female, protruding from the end of her abdomen.
German
Cockroach
Up to
15 mm
long
Although winged,
this species does
not seem to fly
Probably the
most widespread
and successful
species that
co-exists with
humans
in buildings
METHODS OF
FEEDING
ADULT,
NYMPH
Both adults and nymphs have chewing mouthparts with
strong toothed mandibles. Cockroaches are nocturnal,
usually hiding during the day and coming out to feed at night.
190 Insects and allied pests - Blattodea (cockroaches)