Uhler's Wood Cockroach
Parcoblatta uhleriana
This record describes Parcoblatta uhleriana (species). Recorded family: Ectobiidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.
Identification and Appearance
Parcoblatta uhleriana, the Uhler's wood cockroach, is a species of Parcoblatta native to the United States and Canada. It is a forest species also found in disturbed and urban environments. The male of the species flies freely, while the female does not fly.
Wikipedia reference for Parcoblatta uhleriana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcoblatta_uhleriana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
- Superfamily
- Blaberoidea
- Family
- Ectobiidae
- Subfamily
- Blattellinae
- Genus
- Parcoblatta (Wood Cockroaches)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest; in logs, leaf litter, and around human structures adjacent to woodlands
Geographic Range
e US
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Parcoblatta uhleriana (Saussure 1862)
About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group
Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Parcoblatta uhleriana. 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 Uhler's Wood Cockroach (5)
Photo credits: (c) Patrick Randall, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA) | (c) Anita363, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Anita363 | (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved, uploaded by Timothy Reichard | Contributed by ADeczynski; Additional contributions by v belov , Kyle Kandilian
Frequently Asked Questions About Uhler's Wood Cockroach
What is Uhler's Wood Cockroach?
Uhler's Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta uhleriana) is a species in the family Ectobiidae, within the order Blattodea.
How big is Uhler's Wood Cockroach?
2-2.5 cm
Where is Uhler's Wood Cockroach found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest; in logs, leaf litter, and around human structures adjacent to woodlands |
| Range | e US |