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The Asian cockroach has made its way from Central Florida all the way to the panhandle of Florida and has been sighted in parts of Texas. The Asian roach was first identified as a newly introduced species into the United States in 1986. A professional pest control operator collected these insects in Lakeland, Florida. Entomologists believe they most likely were introduced into the U.S. through imports from Japan.
Possibly you have seen Asian roaches and thought they were the common German roach. The confusion arises because adults of both species are almost identical in appearance. They’re both about 5/8 inch long, light brown to dark brown in color, and have the two distinct parallel bands running the length of the pronotum, which is the area just behind the head. Some slight morphological differences exist. One example is the wings shape and length of the Asian roach which is usually longer and narrower than those of the German brothers. However, the Asian species can be distinguished from their German relatives by where they live and how they behave.
The Asian roach normally lives outdoors in grass, leaves, or shaded mulched areas. Populations of 30,000 to 250,000 insects per acre have been reported. This species is a strong flier capable of sustained flight up to 120 feet. The German roach is not capable of sustained flight and prefers to live indoors.
Asian roaches become very active at dusk and adults are attracted to light-colored surfaces and brightly lit areas. They will invade any opening in a house, such as a lighted doorway or window. Once inside, they will crawl on an illuminated television screen and on walls while the lights are on during the evening.
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