Surinam cockroach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Surinam cockroach
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Genus: Pycnoscelus
Species: P. surinamensis
Binomial name
Pycnoscelus surinamensis
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Surinam cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis) is a species of cockroach. It is approximately 3/4" in length, with uniformly dark brown wings, and a shiny dark brown or black head and pronotum (the shield behind its head).

It is usually not considered a pest but it can be found in homes on occasion. It is often brought inside with houseplants. It is found throughout the subtropical and tropical climates, including in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. As only females are found in the United States, they reproduce by parthenogenesis there.