American cockroach
Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Size range
- Large insect, up to 40 mm long
Distribution
- Originally from tropical America, found in warmer parts of New Zealand
- A pest in heated buildings
Life History
- Fast running
- Scavenger. Eats almost anything, food scraps, paper, damp wood
- Unpleasant smell