About Boll's Wood Cockroach
A small native wood cockroach from the south-central United States. It lives under bark and in rotting logs in wooded areas.
Did You Know?
It was named after the naturalist Jacob Boll, a Swiss-American who collected insects in Texas in the 1870s.
How to Identify Boll's Wood Cockroach
Boll's Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta bolliana) belongs to the order Blattodea, family Ectobiidae. Adults typically measure 12-16 mm.
Boll's Wood Cockroach Habitat
Boll's Wood Cockroach is found in woodlands habitats, particularly across Texas and the south-central United States. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Boll's Wood Cockroach Diet and Feeding
Boll's Wood Cockroach feeds on wood and bark, often boring into timber. Wood-feeding insects contribute to the decomposition of dead trees and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
Where Is Boll's Wood Cockroach Found?
Boll's Wood Cockroach can be found in Texas and the south-central United States, where it inhabits woodlands environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Boll's Wood Cockroach can be found
Is Boll's Wood Cockroach Dangerous?
Boll's Wood Cockroach is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.
Boll's Wood Cockroach Role in Nature
Boll's Wood Cockroach is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Boll's Wood Cockroach
What does Boll's Wood Cockroach look like?
The Boll's Wood Cockroach typically measures 12-16 mm.
Where is Boll's Wood Cockroach found?
The Boll's Wood Cockroach is found in Texas and the south-central United States and typically inhabits woodlands environments.
What does Boll's Wood Cockroach eat?
The Boll's Wood Cockroach feeds on wood and bark, often boring into timber.
Is Boll's Wood Cockroach dangerous to humans?
The Boll's Wood Cockroach is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
Is Boll's Wood Cockroach endangered?
The Boll's Wood Cockroach is currently classified as Not Evaluated by conservation assessments. Habitat loss and environmental changes are among the primary threats to its population.
What is an interesting fact about Boll's Wood Cockroach?
It was named after the naturalist Jacob Boll, a Swiss-American who collected insects in Texas in the 1870s.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Boll's Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta bolliana). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/bolls-wood-cockroach
MLA:
"Boll's Wood Cockroach." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/bolls-wood-cockroach.