COCKROACHES 



137 



specimens, and is considerably larger and stouter than 

 the croton-bug. 



The males and females differ considerably from each 

 other. The males are smaller and not so stout as the 

 females and are furnished with two pairs of shortened 

 wings. The females are wingless, or nearly so, very dark 

 colored, and allow their abdomens to drag almost on the 

 ground when in 

 movement. This 

 species is some- 

 what socialistic in 

 its habits, many 

 individuals living 

 together in peace- 

 able relations with 

 one another. 



The last species, 

 Periplaneta austral- 

 asice, of importance 

 as a domestic pest, 

 is the Australian 

 roach (Fig. 40), 

 common especially 



in the Southern states. It resembles the American 

 roach, although it is not so large. Moreover, it has 

 one striking characteristic that serves to distinguish 

 it from the American roach, namely, a bright, clearly 

 defined yellow band on the thorax and a narrow yellow 

 spot on each front wing. It is* not so well and so widely 

 known as a house pest as the croton-bug or the Oriental 

 cockroach, but it is impossible to predict regarding its 

 future development. 



FIG. 40. Australian roach. (X 



