Page 26 - Adventures through the World of Entomology
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DICTYOPTERA—or for our purposes, GERMAN COCKROACH WINGS DICTYOPTERA—or for our purposes, GERMAN COCKROACH WINGS
Dictyo ptera. The word “dictyo” Dictyo ptera. The word “dictyo”
comes from a Greek word meaning comes from a Greek word meaning
“net” so that dictyoptera means “net “net” so that dictyoptera means “net
winged.” Sure enough, if you look at winged.” Sure enough, if you look at
the wings of a cockroach you will see the wings of a cockroach you will see
a netlike pattern of veins and ridges a netlike pattern of veins and ridges
and grooves over the surface of the and grooves over the surface of the
wings. wings.
Pest control service technicians in the Pest control service technicians in the
United States are mostly concerned United States are mostly concerned
with the German cockroach which with the German cockroach which
is widely found in restaurants, bars Photo By Stennett Heaton is widely found in restaurants, bars Photo By Stennett Heaton
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of Univar Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of Univar
and homes. The Brownbanded cockroach is also found in large numbers Cockroach wings look like a net, com- and homes. The Brownbanded cockroach is also found in large numbers Cockroach wings look like a net, com-
pare with the Carpenter ant wings on
pare with the Carpenter ant wings on
in homes in some parts of the United States. The American cockroach the opposite page which have fewer in homes in some parts of the United States. The American cockroach the opposite page which have fewer
(also known as the Bombay canary, and in Florida, as the Palmetto veins and are more translucent. (also known as the Bombay canary, and in Florida, as the Palmetto veins and are more translucent.
bug, is found in sewers, basements, areas around bug, is found in sewers, basements, areas around
GERMAN & BROWNBANDED GERMAN & BROWNBANDED
COCKROACHES heating ducts, and in many United States homes. The COCKROACHES heating ducts, and in many United States homes. The
Oriental cockroach (commonly known by the public Oriental cockroach (commonly known by the public
as the “waterbug”) is found in ground cover around as the “waterbug”) is found in ground cover around
houses, under structures and in sewers and water houses, under structures and in sewers and water
meter boxes, and in general in damp environments. meter boxes, and in general in damp environments.
In addition to these four species of cockroaches, the In addition to these four species of cockroaches, the
service technician, depending on the region of the service technician, depending on the region of the
United States, can come into contact with some United States, can come into contact with some
heavy infestations of the Smokybrown cockroach, heavy infestations of the Smokybrown cockroach,
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
the Australian cockroach, the Pennsylvania wood the Australian cockroach, the Pennsylvania wood
cockroach, the Field cockroach and the Asian cockroach. Then there is a whole list of cockroaches that cockroach, the Field cockroach and the Asian cockroach. Then there is a whole list of cockroaches that
are also present in the United States but are encountered on a less frequent basis. are also present in the United States but are encountered on a less frequent basis.
The public health aspects of cockroach infestations are awesome. Salmonella food poisoning organisms The public health aspects of cockroach infestations are awesome. Salmonella food poisoning organisms
are found in the fecal material of cockroaches and when are found in the fecal material of cockroaches and when
dropped on food can remain viable for several years. COCKROACH HABITAT dropped on food can remain viable for several years. COCKROACH HABITAT
The sticky pads on the feet of the cockroaches pick up The sticky pads on the feet of the cockroaches pick up
streptococcus, staphylococcus and escherichia coli streptococcus, staphylococcus and escherichia coli
organisms, then transmit them to human food surfaces. organisms, then transmit them to human food surfaces.
Remember, cockroaches commonly frequent filthy places Remember, cockroaches commonly frequent filthy places
like sewers, garbage cans, piles of debris and putrefying like sewers, garbage cans, piles of debris and putrefying
food materials in cracks and crevices of food establishments. food materials in cracks and crevices of food establishments.
You will probably agree, then, that allowing them to crawl You will probably agree, then, that allowing them to crawl
across food or food preparing surfaces would be a less Corky’s Pest Control, nc. across food or food preparing surfaces would be a less Corky’s Pest Control, nc.
Photo by Leah Allen
Photo by Leah Allen
than desirable act. Also, the cast skeletons and fragments than desirable act. Also, the cast skeletons and fragments
of dried cockroaches found in crowded tenement situations can cause severe allergic reactions in some of dried cockroaches found in crowded tenement situations can cause severe allergic reactions in some
people. Those service technicians who do cockroach control work in a well trained, well informed and people. Those service technicians who do cockroach control work in a well trained, well informed and
conscientious manner are truly protectors of public health in their community. conscientious manner are truly protectors of public health in their community.
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