Olive brown wings, black and shiny pronotal shield
Surinam cockroach size compared with a one dirham (UAE) coin
Surinam cockroaches adults and nymphs
Adult Surinam cockroaches (dorsal view)
Adult Surinam cockroaches (ventral view)
Adult Male and Female Surinam cockroaches
Surinam cockroach nymph
A collection of adult Surinam cockroaches
The cockroaches were observed under this thick thatch
The thick hatch serves as the perfect harborage for the Surinam cockroaches
Upon lifting the thatch, the cockroaches immediately burrow into the soil
I was on assignment in Abu Dhabi for a pest management training lecture, when I was requested to visit and investigate the mass emergence of cockroaches from the garden area. Numerous cockroaches were emerging from the landscape areas and entering the facility via the gaps on the doors. The summer heat, the high humidity outdoors combined with the availability of moisture in the thick thatch at the landscaping area provided a favorable harborage and breeding site for the burrowing cockroaches, Surinam cockroaches. With their numbers increasing underneath the thatch, they were emerging and crawling during the evening. To my amazement, I was also able to observe a rare male Surinam cockroach in a horde of females!
SURINAM COCKROACHES, Pycnoscelus surinamensis (BLATTODEA: BLABERIDAE)
Adult Surinam cockroaches are 18-25mm in length, These insects bear brown to olive brown wings, black to shiny black pronotum. There is a distinct yellow margin in the front edge on the pronotum behind its head. The sensory organs (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen are manute and mostly concealed.
Males are rare. Male adults have longer wings than the females. The wings of males completely cover the abdomen. Adult cockroaches are POOR FLYERS!
Nymphs are shiny black, roughened with dull black posterior segments.
Developmental Period (egg to adult) for Surinam cockroaches requires 162-219 days at 18-24C. The incubation period is about 35 days. At 18-24C, the nymphs can undertake 8-10 molts in 127-184 days. Each female produces 3 egg capsules (ootheca) with each bearing 26 eggs. The female adult lifespan is 307 days.
Amazingly, this cockroach reproduces through PARTHENOGENESIS - embryos developed from unfertilized eggs. Surinam cockroaches reproduced by thelkytokous parthenogenesis which results in all female offspring. The female extrudes her ootheca during its formation and then retracts it into a brood sac until eggs have developed. When the embryos are mature, the ootheca is again extruded. The nymphs free themselves as the egg capsule is forced from the brood sac and is drop into the surface, giving the appearance of live birth. Awesome cockroach mothering!
Populations are composed exclusively of females. And the males, if present are not needed for reproduction.
DISTRIBUTION OF SURINAM COCKROACHES
These cockroaches are of Southeast Asian origin and is now found worldwide mainly in tropical areas.
BIODYNAMICS NOTES
Surinam cockroaches are burrowing insects, both adults and nymphs readily burrow into loose soil, humus, compost piles, lawn thatch, and under loose organic litter. They can also hide in cracks and crevices, under debris and on the soil during the daytime. At night time they emerge, become very active and feed.
Large numbers are observed hiding by day and emerging in the evening!
These cockroaches feed on plants and can kill and/or damage plants. They are also reported to be economically important pest in greenhouses.
Because of their presence and feeding on manure in poultry farms, they are reported as host of parasitic roundworms for chickens and turkeys.
Transfer indoors occur mainly due to the introduction of potted plants or mulching for potted plants.
IPM PROTOCOLS
1.Inspection in always key in managing pest populations, inspect the area, observe the outdoor areas where the Surinam cockroaches are emerging from. Check gardens and landscape areas. Look for the cockroaches underneath the thatches in the lawn, in organic debris, in cracks and crevices near the facility.
2. Sanitation. Clean up and remove organic debris, thick leaf litter, unused timber and wood piles outdoors especially in areas near entry points. In extreme cases, the removal of accumulated plant thatches must be done to allow treatment and to reduce harborage and emergence.
3. Exclusion. Installation of door sweepers can deter easy access of these cockroaches when they emerge in the evening. Keep doors, window panels and screens, facing gardens and landscape areas always close.
4. Check and treat any potted plants and mulching medium that will be brought inside the home or facility.
5. Residual Spraying. Apply residual spray treatment on the soil or garden areas where the cockroaches are observed. Use approved Microencapulated (MC) or Suspension Concentrates products (Synthetic pyrethroids, Neonicotinoids or Combo Products) to treat the soil. Soil treatment is needed for these burrowing cockroaches. For outdoor areas, you can also conduct barrier spray treatment to provide direct contact in areas where Surinam cockroaches are observed emerging. Always read and follow LABEL instructions when using, handling and applying pesticides.
6. Granular Baiting. For outdoor areas, application of granular baits offer also effective control. Apply sufficient granular baits on the garden, lawn and landscape areas. Continue to apply bait, by increasing bait uptake, more Surinam cockroaches can be affected. Sustained baiting is required to effectively reduce numbers!
7. Monitor. Follow-up and Conduct Additional Treatment applications until the Surinam cockroach population is address. Communicate this process to the Customer and the Facility Stakeholders accordingly.
Surinam cockroaches are truly awesome burrowing insects! They require careful attention and inspection as they are insect masters of concealment!
Awesome creatures. Awesome CREATOR!
Thanks for your support and careful attention.
If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com
