Pest Guides

Lesser Cockroach

Ectobius silvestris

Appearance

Lesser Cockroach
  • Males: 9-14mm; females: 6-10mm.
  • Pale to dark brown, legs dark brown or black.
  • Tegmina (leathery outer wings) are pale-yellow brown with dark speckles.

Lifecycle

  • Egg cases, known as oothecae, are produced and carried by the female for one or two days between June and September.
  • They overwinter on the ground and the nymphs hatch in the spring.
  • The nymphs hibernate during the late stages of development to become adult in May-June.
  • The adults die in September-October.

Habits

  • Adults are not easy to find.
  • These cockroaches have a preference for coastal and sandy plains.
  • Males only fly in warm weather.