Blatta orientalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common or Oriental Cockroach

Taxonomy: 

  • DictyopteraBlattodeaBlattidaeBlatta orientalis

Status: 

NN

Distribution

Colours show the year of the last record -

  up to 1987   1988-97   1998 up to present

Only Recording Scheme datasets are included. Other datasets on the Gateway may hold additional information.

Open the NBN Atlas interactive map in a new window.

Description: 

Large species of cockroach, dark brown to black in colour with a glossy body.

Size: 

Up to 25 mm.

Wings: 

Females have very short vestigial wings, males have longer wings, but both sexes are flightless.

Food: 

Omnivorous, feeding on refuse and anything edible that is not too dry and hard.

Habitat: 

Native to Africa and Asia. In Britain occurs only in houses, and in summer, on land fill sites.

Phenology: 

Indoors adults may be seen all year round.