Do Cockroaches Fly?
Though cockroaches are not known as adept flyers, several cockroach species in the US have the ability to fly. They are attracted to light, heat, and moisture and will use their ability to fly to enter the home through open windows and doors. They also use their ability to fly to reach out-of-the-way spaces to hide.
The following cockroaches fly (click for photo and more info)
- Brownbanded Cockroach
- American Cockroach
- Asian Cockroach
- Cuban Cockroach
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Australian Cockroach
Brownbanded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa ( Brownbanded cockroach): Males fly.
Flying Gender: Males
Habitat: Dry, warm habitats
Habitat Preference: Throughout the United States
Female brown-banded cockroaches have underdeveloped wings and cannot fly. Male brown-banded cockroaches have full wings that give them the ability to fly.
Brownbanded cockroaches prefer dry, warm habitats. They can be found throughout the United States.
American Cockroach
Periplanet (American Cockroach): Adults fly.
Flying Gender: Male/Female Adults
Habitat Preference: Warm, humid, moist habitats
Range: Throughout the United States
Both the adult male and female have the ability to fly but prefer to run when disturbed. Immature American cockroaches do not have wings.
The American cockroach prefers warm, humid, moist habitats and generally live outdoors. They can be found throughout the United States.
Asian Cockroach
Blattella asahinai (Asian Cockroach): Strong Fliers.
Flying Gender: Male/Female
Habitat Preference: Shaded mulched areas
Range: Southeast United States
The Asian and German cockroaches are difficult to tell apart except when it comes to flight. German cockroaches do not fly, while Asian cockroaches are strong fliers.
The Asian cockroach is prevalent in the Southeast, in states such as Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. They prefer shaded mulched areas and can primarily be found outdoors.
Cuban Cockroach
Panchlora nivea (Cuban cockroach): Males and females fly.
Flying Gender: Male/Female
Habitat Preference: Outdoors
Range: Florida
The Cuban cockroach, also known as the banana cockroach, flies and is particularly attracted to light. This species lives primarily out of doors and can be found in Florida.
Smokybrown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa (Smokybrown cockroach): Both males and females fly.
Flying Gender: Male/Female
Habitat Preference: High moisture environments
Range: Southeastern US
This species is a common pest in the southeastern US. It needs areas of high moisture for survival.
Australian Cockroach
Periplaneta australasiae (Australian cockroach): Adults fly.
Flying Gender: Male/Female adults
Habitat Preference: Outdoors
Range: Florida/Southeastern US coastal regions
Immature Australian cockroaches do not have wings. Adults of the species have fully developed wings and typically use them for gliding flight.
The Australian cockroach lives primarily outdoors in Florida and the coastal regions of the southeastern US.
Resources
- Mallis, Arnold, and Dan Moreland. Handbook of Pest control: the Behavior, Life History, and Control of Household Pests. 9th ed. Cleveland, Ohio: GIE Media, 2004. Print.
- National Pest Management Association – Brownbanded Cockroaches
- Virginia State University – Virginia Cooperative Extension – American Cockroach
- University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department – Asian cockroach – Blattella asahinai Mizukubo
- University of Florida – What Is This Little Green Insect?
- Orkin – Get Rid of Smokybrown Cockroaches
- University of Florida Entomology and Nematology – Australian Cockroach
