A to Z of Pests

Dusky Cockroach

Ectobius lapponicus

Appearance

• Adult males 9–11mm.
• Adult females 6–8mm.
• Body dark grey–brown except for dark male pronotum and female dark brown abdomen.

Lifecycle

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

Habits

• The dusky cockroach is mainly ground–dwelling and favours scrub, grassland and woodland habitats.
• Males only fly in warm weather.