Adults 20-24mm long, colour; dark brown, nearly black, wings of male cover two-thirds of abdomen, wings of female are vestigial, can climb rough but not smooth vertical surfaces.
The female of the species produces 4-8 egg capsules at approx 1 month intervals. Each thick walled resistant capsule is 6mm long and contains utpo 30 eggs. The nymphs wil hatch and pass through a 5-7 moults before reaching maturity. Adults live approx for 8.5 months.
Worldwide
Cockroaches are potential vectors of diseases such as dysentry, gastroenteritis, typhoid and polio. Their diet is omnivorous and includes fermenting substances, solid septic dressings, hair, leather, parchment, wall paper, faeces and food for human consumption.