Cuban cockroach, Panchlora nivea
(Blattodea: Blaberidae)

The Cuban cockroach is 7/8 to one inch (22-24 mm) long as an adult. Males and females are pale-green, whereas the nymphs are dark-brown. The front edge of the adult's pronotum behind the head has a yellow margin. Adults are attracted to light and are adept fliers.

The egg case (ootheca) is rarely seen as the female keeps it inside her body until the eggs hatch. It is poorly schlerotized and is whitish or pale brown. Development time from egg to adult averages 144 days for males and 181 days for females. Adults may live for 150 days.

The Cuban cockroach is an outdoor, tropical species that, in the U.S., is usually not found north of peninsular Florida and the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. It is also common in Central America and northern South America.

Images

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Adult Cuban cockroach, Panchlora nivea.
(Photographer: L.J. Buss, University of Florida)

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Adult Cuban cockroach, Panchlora nivea, life cycle.
(Photographer: J.L. Castner, University of Florida)

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