Pseudomopsseptentrionalis

(Pale-bordered Cockroach)
Submittedby:
RoadQueen

Submittedto:
Mr.DennisApuan

Classification:
Kingdom Animalia:(Animals)
Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum: Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class: Insecta (Insects)
Order : Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
Superfamily : Blaberoidea
Family : Ectobiidae
Subfamily : Blattellinae
Genus: Pseudomops
Species: septentrionalis
Scientific Name: Pseudomops septentrionalis
Common Name: Pale-bordered cockroaches

Introduction:
Order Blattodea is an order of insects that currently combines the
cockroaches and the termites. Formerly, the termites were considered a
separate order, Isoptera, but genetic and molecular evidence suggests an
intimate relationship with the cockroaches, both cockroaches and termites
having evolved from a common ancestor.
First found in Alabama in May 1996 and it was first described in Texas.
This species is presumed to be established in Alabama because it has been
collected every year since 1996 and has been reported from additional sites
each year. Adult pale-bordered cockroaches have been observed outdoors on
foliage and in ground litter. Individuals have been found perched 1.6 to 6.6
feet from the ground on various herbs and shrubs, including privet.
Cockroaches are poor fliers and unable to cross large bodies of water. It does
not infest home and when seen indoors it is unintentionally.The status of this
species of cockroach as a pest or nuisance species is not known.
Size:

9-15mm, a mere 3/4 of an inch long,

Habitat:
low-growing herbaceous vegetation, shrubby regions in weedy areas;
on occasion visits flowers; active during the day, rather than nocturnal
Season:
Mostly: May- Aug
Food:
Comes to Sap and Flowers; a scavenger and so performs an important
role of cleaning up dead organisms, waste materials, and other debris.

Remarks:
Pale-bordered cockroaches are not attracted to black lights. Black
lights are often used to collect insects at night. Most insects are attracted to
them. The pale-bordered cockroach probably would not fly into a home at
night when a porch light is on.
Pale-bordered cockroach is relatively sensitive to desiccation, which
helps explain why its distribution pattern is in relatively humid locations
Color:

The general coloration of this species is russet to brownishblack, with

cream coloration along the margins of the pronotum and the lateral margins
of the abdomen. Their bright colors may make them resemble wasps or
bombardier beetles to potential predators.

Eggs:
Adult females can produce up to 16 egg cases (oothecae) during
their more than four-month life span. Egg cases are 9/32 inch long, weigh
0.00051 ounce, and take 45 days to hatch. Approximately 23 offspring
emerge from each egg case; there are three or four generations per year.
The nymphs are dull brown. The adults are fairly short lived but produce
many offspring.

Works Cited:

Invertebrates Of Central Texas Wetlands

Stephen Welton Taber, Scott B. Fleenor. 2005. Texas Tech University
Press.

Beccaloni G.W. (2007) Blattodea species file online. Version 5.0

How to Know the Grasshoppers, Cockroaches, and Their Allies

Jacques R. Helfer. 1962. Wm. C. Brown Company.

New Blattodea records from Mississippi and Alabama

Schiff N.M., Schiefer T.L. 1999. Entomological News 110: 240-242.