Smoky Brown Cockroach
Validiblatta fuliginosa
This record describes Validiblatta fuliginosa (species). Recorded family: Blattidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.
Identification and Appearance
has no pattern on pronotum. Late instars can be very difficult to differentiate from Blatta orientalis , particularly older specimens that have developed a dark brown hue rather than the typical pure black coloration. Ootheca dark brown, larger than in P. americana , more similar to that of V. australasiae , but differs in having a blunt point on one side. Early instars black with characteristic white markings:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Africa; in our area, se.US
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Validiblatta fuliginosa (Serville 1839)
About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group
Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Validiblatta fuliginosa. 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 Smoky Brown Cockroach (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , John Carlson
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoky Brown Cockroach
What is Smoky Brown Cockroach?
Smoky Brown Cockroach (Validiblatta fuliginosa) is a species in the family Blattidae, within the order Blattodea.
How do you identify Smoky Brown Cockroach?
has no pattern on pronotum. Late instars can be very difficult to differentiate from Blatta orientalis , particularly older specimens that have developed a dark brown hue rather than the typical pure black coloration. Ootheca dark brown, larger than in P. americana , more similar to that of V. australasiae , but differs in having a blunt point on one side. Early instars black with characteristic white markings:
Where is Smoky Brown Cockroach found?
Range: native to Africa; in our area, se.US