German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
a.k.a. "Croton bug"
Most common roach in New York

Brownbanded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa

Female on left

Oriental Cockroach
Blatta orientalis
a.k.a. "Water bug" or "Black beetle"

Female on left

American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
a.k.a. "Palmetto bug" or "Water bug"

Adult size

0.5 inch

0.5 inch

1 to 1.25 inch

1 to 1.75 inch

Thorax ("Body")

Light brown. Two black stripes on pronotum (back of head).

Light brown. Light colored bands on wings (both sexes). Bands more noticeable in nymphs than adults.

Dark, reddish-brown to black.

Brown. Light markings on pronotum (back of head). Wings one color.

Wings

Cover tip of abdomen.

Female’s wings do not quite cover the tip of her abdomen; male’s wings do cover tip of his abdomen.

Traces of wings on females; short wings on males.

Female: equal in length to abdomen; Male: extend past tip of abdomen.

Egg Case

Light brown. Female carries it until 1-2 days before hatch.

Light brown. Egg case glued to ceilings, picture frames, furniture, in closets or other dark places.

Nearly black. Egg case deposited on debris or food in sheltered area.

Dark brown. Blends with surroundings; hidden in cracks, soft wood, moist debris.

Feces

Pepper-like specks on the wall, near nest site.

Pepper-like specks on the wall, near nest site.

Similar to mouse droppings. Under magnifier, one end is rounded, the other is slightly tapered.

Similar to mouse droppings. Under magnifier, blunt with ridged markings.

Habitat

Warm, moist areas. Prefers kitchens and bathrooms. Likes to squeeze into tight cracks.

Throughout the house, prefers high locations. Also in closets, under furniture, and in heat-generating appliances.

Below ground level, in damp crawl spaces, basements, and floor drains. Can over-winter in cisterns and other protected outdoor areas.

Usually in commercial structures. Prefers warm, moist areas in basements, near heating ducts, pipe chase areas, and sewers. Forages mostly on first floors.