Ectobius panzeri (Stephens,1835)

Lesser Cockroach

Taxonomy: 

  • DictyopteraBlattodeaBlattellidaeEctobius panzeri

Status: 

UK

Distribution

Recordings

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: 

Dark brown with speckled patterning on the pronotum in both sexes and on females also on the dorsal surface of the abdomen.

Size: 

5 – 8 mm

Wings: 

Males have long tapering forewings and fly well. Females have short truncated forewings and vestigial hindwings and are flightless.

Food: 

Omnivorous.

Habitat: 

Native to UK, Central and Southern Europe. Mainly coastal occurring on sea cliffs, sand dunes and shingle beaches. Increase in inland records (dry heathland, chalk grassland and occasionally woodland) over the last 20 years.

Phenology: 

Eggs hatch in late April or May and the nymphs (distinctive white patterns on the thorax) pass through five instars. Adults are present from July until early October.