Knowledgebase
Insect identification #760454
Asked July 07, 2021, 2:34 PM EDT
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
That is a Spotted Mediterranean Cockroach, Ectobius pallidus (Blattellidae).
This European species of cockroach was once only known to occur in the US in Massachusetts, southeast Michigan, Lansing, the Grand Traverse Bay area and a few other isolated locations in Michigan. It appears to be spreading across the Lower Peninsula. It was first discovered in the United States in 1948 on Cape Cod. This species is normally considered an outdoors species that does not infest household foods or goods. It can become a nuisance when attracted to dwellings by lights. This pale-brown cockroach is smaller than the German cockroach and lacks the dark lines on the pronotum that characterize the latter. The wings have many tiny, dark spots that can be seen only with the aid of a hand lens. The nymphs are also pale brown but with rows of dark spots.
This insect can be discouraged from entering homes by spraying a persistent insecticide such as permethrin (sold under a variety of brand names, cyfluthrin (sold as Bayer Advanced Vegetable and Garden Spray) or bifenthrin (sold as Ortho Home Defense Max or Ortho Bug-B-Gon) around the outside of the home. Be sure to read and follow all instructions and safety precautions found on the label before using any pesticide.
Regards,
Howard
Tell us about your experience with our service by completing the brief (5 min.), anonymous MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Feedback Survey.