Asian Cockroach In Kansas city
# What is the Asian cockroach?
The Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) is a species of cockroach that belongs to the same genus as the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). It was first discovered in Japan in 1981, and has since spread to other parts of Asia, as well as North America and Australia. The Asian cockroach is often mistaken for the German cockroach, but there are some key differences between them.
# Appearance
The Asian cockroach is about 1.6 cm long, with a light brown or tan color and two dark stripes on its pronotum (the shield-like plate behind the head). It has long, slender antennae and legs, and a pair of wings that cover most of its abdomen. The Asian cockroach can fly for short distances, unlike the German cockroach, which rarely flies.
# Behavior
The Asian cockroach is mostly active at night, but it can also be seen during the day, especially in warm and humid conditions. It prefers to live outdoors, in areas with abundant vegetation, such as gardens, fields, and compost piles. It feeds on decaying organic matter, such as plant debris, fungi, and animal droppings. The Asian cockroach is attracted to light sources, such as lamps, candles, and TV screens, and may enter buildings through open windows or doors.
# Diet
The Asian cockroach is an omnivorous scavenger, meaning that it eats both plant and animal matter. It can consume a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, bread, cheese, meat, eggs, and sweets. It can also eat paper, glue, leather, hair, and dead insects. The Asian cockroach needs a constant supply of water to survive.
# Habitat
The Asian cockroach is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, such as Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It has also been introduced to other parts of the world through human activities, such as trade and travel. It has been found in the southeastern United States since 1986, mainly in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It has also been reported in Hawaii and Australia.
# Reproduction
The Asian cockroach reproduces sexually by mating. The female produces an egg case called an ootheca that contains about 40 eggs. She carries the ootheca for a few days before depositing it in a hidden location. The eggs hatch in about 30 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. The young cockroaches are called nymphs. They go through six to seven molts before reaching adulthood in about two to three months. The adult lifespan of the Asian cockroach is about six months.
