Epilampra maya Rehn, a Central American Cockroach Newly Established in the United States (Blattodea; Blaberidae; Epilamprinae)

Abstract

With the exceptions of the native species Parcoblatta pensylvanica (De Geer) and Eurycotus floridana (Walker), which are minor pests locally, all species of pest cockroaches in the United States have been introduced through international commerce. In fact, the most economically destructive species-Periplaneta americana (L.), Blatta orientalis L., Blattella germanica (L.), and Supella longipalpa (F.)-have become nearly worldwide in distribution through commerce. Because of the potential for newly introduced species to become pests, strong measures are taken to ensure against unwanted introductions, including laws to restrict the transport of plants and animals across international borders. In spite of such precautions, however, foreign species of insects manage to enter this country. Recently, 2 species of cockroaches, Ectobius sylvestris (Poda) (Hoebeke and Nickle 1981) and Blatta lateralis Walker (Gurney 1978), were reported as newly established. One of these, B. lateralis, has already become a pest problem in El Paso, Texas and San Francisco, California (Spencer et al. 1979). We report here the probable introduction of yet another foreign species of cockroach, Epilampra maya Rehn. On 30 August 1982 2 adult cockroaches were collected by Wes Young, Branch Manager, and Bruce Sibson, Technical Manager of Rentokil Inc. The specimens were forwarded for positive identification to David Nickle, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, IIBIII, USDA. Young had noticed the cockroaches during a routine inspection for wood infesting insects of a home in Arcadia, De Soto County, Florida. He found live adults outside the house, under the roof overhang, and in the carport. Additional live cockroaches and fecal droppings were located indoors in the kitchen and storage areas. A second site inspection by Young and Sibson on 19 October 1982 uncovered several dead specimens under the perimeter of the roof overhangs. Access to the interior of the house for inspection was not available. However, the resident next-door reported frequent indoor sightings of this species in his house over the past 2 years. Although no specimens were found in his house, live males, females, and 3 different stages of nymphs were collected in the area surrounding his house. The specimens were collected along the bank of the slow moving stream bordering his property and were found beneath the soil surface and in leaf litter and humus. All stages were