Blatta lateralis in the wild

dtknow

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Just curious but how many others have seen em in the wild? Here in CA they seem pretty common actually...inside or under logs/boards little bright red roaches that run very fast.

Still debating whether or not to culture them as I'm betting they'd have a good shot infesting here. I was up in Northern CA(Nevada City area) and found some around there.
 

lucanidae

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Aren't those native to Asia/Africa??? Are you sure that is what you are finding? Perhaps you are finding German and/or American roach nymphs....
 

bugmankeith

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Blatta lateralis also live in the United States. They are red with almost black abdomens as nymphs.
 

bugmankeith

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Well their here in NY also. In a tiny forest by me at a local park. So your saying they are rare here?
 

lucanidae

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One would hope they would be rare! They would be an invasive species and another mark on the record of exotic insect importing. If you really think that this species is in New York you should have it professionally identified. Personnaly I'm betting it is a native species that might look similar.
 

bugmankeith

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What other species are native here and look like it?

I guess I will have to find one and get pictures then. Besides this tiny area I have never seen them anywhere else. I have kept a few as pets, but let them go because they didnt do to well.
 

lucanidae

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I looked into it and found a native species which looks fairly similar and lives in wooded areas, check out Parcoblatta lata.
 

bugmankeith

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How would I tell the difference? I'll still see if I can find some and get photos.
 

lucanidae

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Blatta lateralis is in the family Blattidae while Parcoblatta lata is in the family Blattellidae, not sure what taxonomic differences exist between the two families, and that requires a book, so it will have to wait until tommorow when I'm awake and willing.
 

jarrell

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If Parcoblatta lata is virtually the same as blatta laterallis, I will try breeding P. latta since theres a colony in my backyard.
 

BurrowDweller

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Here in Kentucky there is a roach called the wood roach (not sure of the scientific, will try and find) that resembles a B. lateralis, but is most definately a different species. Found under rotting wood and logs, any place with a ton of moisture. I highly doubt it is B. lataeralis you are finding in NY, they are mostly confined to the south west from what I have heard.
 

syndicate

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bugmankeith said:
I have kept a few as pets, but let them go because they didnt do to well.
i hope u didnt release them into the wild
 

dtknow

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On the other hand does CA have any native roaches that resemble B. lateralis? I find these in/under rotting wood and boards. They are red and black, relatively small, wingless, and fast. Seem to be B. lateralis. I've never tried keeping any.
 

dtknow

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Also , has anyone tried to selectively breed them to be intolerant of cold temperatures? You might hatch eggcases seperate of each other and then expose a few roaches from each batch to cold temps or otherwise. The first roach to succumb you would allow its siblings to survive and feed off the rest.
 
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