Page 40 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

FLORIDA WOODS ROACH FLORIDA WOODS ROACH-MALE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- long, thin & hairlike 6.Pronotum
2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole- none FLORIDA WOODS ROACH
3.Head- facing downward 8.Abdomen
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown to black 1 8
5.Wings- short 10.Other- large sized roach 3

Life Cycle
There is only one generation each year, and adults may live for several
years. Females produce an egg capsule that contains around 20-24
eggs. Nymphs have broad yellow bands across the thorax, making them 4
easy to identify. They go through 6-8 molts. The whole egg to adult
process takes about 100 days to complete.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

FLORIDA WOODS ROACH (Eurycotis floridana) Actual body size 1 3/4”

The Florida Woods Cockroach is a fairly large roach, and is often called a Palmetto Bug. Most
are about 1 3/4ths inches in size, but some may occasionally reach three inches in length. It
has a defense mechanism that releases a foul-smelling liquid, so it also is called the Stinking
Cockroach. Its appearance is similar to the Oriental Cockroach.

The Florida Woods Cockroach moves slowly, and prefers warm, humid locations. It lives in just
about any sheltered place outdoors, and will enter structures. They prefer to eat decaying plant
matter. This cockroach is native to Florida.

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