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Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

Parcoblatta pennsylvanica

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta pennsylvanica)

The Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach is a native, outdoor cockroach that inhabits forest leaf litter and bark, occasionally wandering into homes where it does not establish populations. Males are fully winged and fly readily to lights at night; females are short-winged. It is entirely a nuisance in buildings and does not breed there, preferring decomposing wood outdoors.

Habitat
Forests, woodpiles, and wooded suburban areas
Diet
Adults and nymphs: decaying leaves, bark, and organic forest debris
How common
Common

Best time to see a Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

The best time to see a Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach is May–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,161 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach sightings near you

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