The Oriental Cockroach is a large, shiny dark brown to black cockroach that prefers cool, damp basements, sewers, and drains — earning the name 'water bug.' Males have shortened wing covers while females are nearly wingless. It moves more slowly than other pest cockroaches and is associated with moist, cool environments rather than kitchens.
Best time to see a Oriental Cockroach
The best time to see a Oriental Cockroach is April–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,156 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Oriental Cockroach? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Oriental Cockroach sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Oriental Cockroach? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Oriental Cockroach is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.