100 more species #78: Spotted Mediterranean cockroach

[urbpan]

Spotted Mediterranean cockroach Ectobius pallidus

Most of the time that urban people encounter cockroaches it's an upsetting experience, often for both sides. Roaches from the tropics have become some of the most persistent indoor pests. Businesses and homeowners spend millions on control efforts, usually buying temporary piece of mind before more roaches stream in from neighboring buildings not on the same control schedule. Ectobius roaches are from Europe, and they are strictly out-of-doors, as their scientific name suggests. Occasionally one or two will be found in a home, a car, or a business, but their presence is entirely accidental, and they would much rather stay outside. My own observation is that this species is increasing in the Boston area, but it could be that I'm engaged in activities that coincide with them more often (gardening, moving objects that have been outside all winter).


The individual in all these pictures is this year's nymph, identifiable by its lack of wings. These roaches are weak but able flyers when adults.


I featured Ectobius on my podcast.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Ectobius is not the same as Ecto-bus. Ectobus would be a bus made of ectoplasm, and that would be quite cool--in fact, illustration-worthy--though Ectobius are cool in their own, small and segemented way.