What is the Life Cycle of a Cockroach?

Understanding the life cycle of a cockroach will help you recognize this common household pest. Cockroaches are some of the oldest living creatures and their life cycle is crucial to their survival. They reproduce quickly and can easily cause a major infestation in a short amount of time. As a result, it is important to take immediate action and get rid of the problem as soon as possible.

Once an adult cockroach reaches sexual maturity, it will start attracting males. It will be about one and a half inches long, with three pairs of legs, two pairs of wings, and one pair of long antennae. Its lifespan is typically one to two years, although some species can live for as long as a decade.

In order to reach maturity, a roach undergoes several molts. In the nymph stage, it will grow smaller than an adult and will be lighter in color. The nymph will eventually grow into a fully mature cockroach.

After mating, the adult female of the American Cockroach will produce an egg case. The egg sack is reddish brown when it is first deposited, but will grow black in a few days. The egg sack is 8 mm long and is purse-shaped. It can be carried for a few hours, or even days, before being laid in a suitable place.