An Exterminator in Las Vegas Describes Megaloblatta Longipennis Cockroaches
An exterminator in Las Vegas sees many types of cockroaches but is unlikely to see Megaloblatta longipennis cockroaches. These cockroaches usually live in the wild in South America and Mexico. Since they prefer to eat plants, they are generally not a problem for homeowners. That is good because Megaloblatta cockroaches are the largest cockroaches in the world.
What Are Megaloblatta Longipennis Cockroaches?
Megaloblatta longipennis cockroaches is one of the largest cockroaches in the world by length and wingspan. Still, an exterminator in Las Vegas is unlikely to see it unless they go to the zoo. This cockroach can be up to 3.8 inches long, and their bodies can be 1.75 inches wide. It has massive wings, so when it spreads them, the cockroach can measure 8 inches wide. Megaloblatta longipennis cockroaches mate for about two hours before they lay up to 50 eggs under a leaf or log.
Why an Exterminator in Las Vegas Is not Worried
Pest control operators in Las Vegas are unlikely to see Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches as they live in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and many other South American countries. These dark brown insects live in the wild, and people seldom see them in their homes. They feed on decaying plants and other organic materials.
How Does the Megalablotta Longipennis Cockroaches Compare to Blattella Germanica Cockroaches?
Exterminators in Las Vegas are very familiar with Blattella germanica cockroaches, usually called German cockroaches. Unlike Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches that live in the wild, German cockroaches live in people’s homes. While the Megalablotta longipennis eats decaying plant materials, German cockroaches feast on sugary foods, grease, starches and meats. While both cockroaches are brown, German cockroaches are much smaller. On average, they are 0.6 inches long. Both species are members of the Ectobiidae family.
How Do Megalablotta Longipennis Cockroaches Compare to Periplaneta Americana Cockroaches?
Periplaneta Americana cockroaches, called American cockroaches, are the largest peridomestic cockroach, but it is much smaller than Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches. The average American cockroach is only 1.6 inches long. American cockroaches are opportunistic omnivore feeders often seen eating many things in Las Vegas homes. While Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches can live up to 10 years, most American cockroaches live less than 100 days.
Is the Megalablotta Longipennis the Heaviest Cockroach in the World?
While the Megalablotta longipennis is the longest cockroach in the world, it is not the heaviest. The heaviest cockroach in the world is the Macropanesthia rhinoceros, more commonly called giant burrowing cockroaches. They can grow to be about 3.1 inches long and weigh up to 1.3 ounces. This Australian native is the heaviest cockroach in the world. It lives in burrows underground that can be up to 3.5 feet long. It plays a vital role in nature by helping recycle nutrients into the soil.
Are There Other Large Cockroaches in the World?
There are over 4,500 species of cockroaches in the world. Another large cockroach an exterminator in Las Vegas is unlikely to see is the Gromphadorhina portentosa, commonly called Madagascar hissing cockroach. These cockroaches that make a unique hissing sound can grow up to 3 inches long. Males use the hissing sound to attract females, whereas both sexes use it to warn their colony mates that a predator is nearby. Furthermore, males compete in wrestling matches to prove they are the best mate for a female. Homeowners in Las Vegas can be thankful that they do not live in Nevada because they live in colonies containing over 1,000 individuals. Like Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches, they seldom invade homes. Instead, they live on forest floors, eating decaying plants and other organic matter.
Another large cockroach is the Blaberus craniife, commonly called Death Head’s cockroaches. They can grow to be up to 3 inches long. Unlike Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches, which are brown, the Blaberus craniife has a tan body. A dark brown spot in the middle of its back resembles a human skull, giving this cockroach its common name. These African natives love light, so people often see them in their homes. They also love heat and humidity. Many homeowners struggle to get rid of these cockroaches once they invade because they can live for up to 6 months without food and 14 days without water. While Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches and many other species lay eggs that they abandon, female Blaberus craniife cockroaches produce an egg sac containing up to 40 eggs, which they carry around for about six weeks until the baby cockroaches, called nymphs, hatch.
Another contender for the largest cockroach in the world is the Blaberus giganteus. These flat cockroaches can grow up to 3.5 inches long. They live in dark, humid environments, like caves in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, where they are commonly called Central American cave cockroaches. While the body of the Blaberus gigianteus’ body is as long as the Megalablotta longipennis’ body, its wingspread is under 6 inches. These cockroaches are nocturnal, and they eat decaying plant material.
While you will not have to worry about Megalablotta longipennis cockroaches in your Las Vegas home, other cockroaches, like American and German cockroaches, may try to invade your living space. If you notice one cockroach in your house, you can trust that others are present. You should immediately call an exterminator in Las Vegas to stop the invasion. A single cockroach in Las Vegas can lay enough egg sacs to hatch 800 nymphs, so it is vital to act quickly. The sooner you act, the less chance they will have to build nests in your home.
