Order Dictyoptera - Cockroaches and Mantids

• American Cockroach
• Praying Mantid
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Antennae long and filamentous, with many segments. Mouthparts for biting. Usually two pairs of wings, of which the front ones are leathery and held flat over the back, slightly overlapping in the midline; but there are many species with reduced wings or that lack wings altogether. Legs long and spiny, and all fairly similar (Cockroaches) or the front legs greatly enlarged and raptorial (Mantids). Tarsi 5-segmented. Abdomen with conspicuous, segmented cerci. Metamorphosis simple, with 5-12 nymphal moults according to species. Eggs are produced in batches contained in a hard, protective capsule called the ootheca. Mainly tropical insects, with about 6,000 known species, of which about 140, mostly Cockroaches and ten or so species of Mantids, are native to Europe. Mantids are confined to southern Europe, but three of the native Cockroaches (Ectobius spp.) extend into the southern counties of Britain, where they live among vegetation on sand-dunes and in various other habitats. Most of the Cockroaches seen in Britain are introduced species, originally from warmer parts of the world, living under artificial conditions in warehouse, stores, kitchens, breweries and other warm buildings where there is an abundance of food. Several of these introduced species are common domestic pests, not just in Britain but worldwide, such as the Common Cockroach (Blatta orientalis), the German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) and the American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana). Their cosmopolitan distribution has occurred as a result of man's commercial trading activities.

Description. Shiny reddish-brown, up to 45 mm long. Adults fully winged, though rarely fly.

Biology. Found inside warm buildings. Mainly nocturnal, they hide during the day behind skirtings, under floors, in wall cavities, ventilation ducts and similar places. Omnivorous, feeding on any scraps of animal and plant matter. Eggs laid in small, purse-shaped containers (oothecae). Nymphs have 11-12 moults before the adult stage and their development to maturity may take several months.

Distribution. Despite its common name, the original home of this species is probably tropical West Africa. It has been transported worldwide, mainly on trading ships, and is now cosmopolitan in heated buildings.

Photo (adult): A.B. Klots ©

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Adult

Typical ootheca (egg-case)
of a Cockroach

Description. Relatively small species compared to some mantids, never more than 30 mm long, with short, vestigial wings. Prothorax long and narrow, forming a movable 'neck'. Bright green, with brown markings on the legs and along the sides of the abdomen.

Biology. Found among vegetation where they sit motionless in wait of their prey. Entirely carnivorous and use their raptorial front legs to catch flies and other insects that come within reach. The eggs are laid in oothecae attached to plant stems and twigs.

Distribution. Most parts of southern Europe.

Photo: V.J. Stanek ©