About Broad Wood Cockroach
A distinctive flat, broadly shaped wood cockroach from the southeastern United States. Females have a wider body than most Parcoblatta species.
Did You Know?
Its unusually broad and flat body shape allows it to squeeze into extremely narrow crevices under bark.
How to Identify Broad Wood Cockroach
Broad Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta lata) belongs to the order Blattodea, family Ectobiidae. Adults typically measure 13-18 mm.
Broad Wood Cockroach Habitat
Broad Wood Cockroach is found in woodlands habitats, particularly across Southeastern United States. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Broad Wood Cockroach Diet and Feeding
Broad 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 Broad Wood Cockroach Found?
Broad Wood Cockroach can be found in Southeastern United States, where it inhabits woodlands environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Broad Wood Cockroach can be found
Is Broad Wood Cockroach Dangerous?
Broad 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.
Broad Wood Cockroach Role in Nature
Broad 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 Broad Wood Cockroach
What does Broad Wood Cockroach look like?
The Broad Wood Cockroach typically measures 13-18 mm.
Where is Broad Wood Cockroach found?
The Broad Wood Cockroach is found in Southeastern United States and typically inhabits woodlands environments.
What does Broad Wood Cockroach eat?
The Broad Wood Cockroach feeds on wood and bark, often boring into timber.
Is Broad Wood Cockroach dangerous to humans?
The Broad Wood Cockroach is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
Is Broad Wood Cockroach endangered?
The Broad 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 Broad Wood Cockroach?
Its unusually broad and flat body shape allows it to squeeze into extremely narrow crevices under bark.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Broad Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta lata). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/broad-wood-cockroach
MLA:
"Broad Wood Cockroach." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/broad-wood-cockroach.