Dusky Cockroach
Ectobius lapponicus
This record describes Ectobius lapponicus (species). Recorded family: Ectobiidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.
Identification and Appearance
earliest record in our area: NH 1984 (Chandler 1985)
Wikipedia reference for Ectobius lapponicus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectobius_lapponicus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
- Superfamily
- Blaberoidea
- Family
- Ectobiidae
- Subfamily
- Ectobiinae
- Genus
- Ectobius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Europe (widespread), adventive in NA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ectobius lapponicus (Linnaeus 1758)
About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group
Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Ectobius lapponicus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Blattodea includes ~4,600 cockroach species and ~3,000 termite species. Only about 30 cockroach species are associated with human habitats - less than 1% of all species.
Ecological role of the group
Termites contribute ~40% of soil arthropod biomass globally, far exceeding ants at ~10%. Cockroaches are ancient insects dating back 320 million years and are critical decomposers in tropical forest ecosystems, recycling leaf litter and dead wood.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Termites cause $5-30 billion in damage to structures in the U.S. annually. They damage approximately 600,000 American homes each year, with average repair costs of $3,000-$17,000. A subterranean termite colony can consume one pound of wood per day.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, Orkin, Today's Homeowner, PNAS soil biomass study. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dusky Cockroach (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Chuck Entz , v belov , Mark Fox , John Carlson
Frequently Asked Questions About Dusky Cockroach
What is Dusky Cockroach?
Dusky Cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus) is a species in the family Ectobiidae, within the order Blattodea.
How big is Dusky Cockroach?
♂ 13-14 mm, ♀ 9.5-10 mm (Chandler 1985)
Where is Dusky Cockroach found?
Range: native to Europe (widespread), adventive in NA