1.0 INTRODUCTION
Cockroach is an insect of the order Dictyoptera in older classification included in orthoptern. It is a troublesome, unpleasant insect found throughout the world. They are closely related to grasshoppers and crickets. The antennae are long and many segmented, and the mouthparts are, adapted for biting. The forewings are usually somewhat thickened and overlap along the mid-dossal line. The hind wings are membranous and more delicate, and are folded under the forewings. Both pairs of wings are sometimes much reduced in size or even absent. The tip of the abdomen usually has segmented cerci of short or moderate length. The young stages are similar to the adult, but always lack wings.
Cockroaches have a large, rounded shield-like plate covering the front part of the body. This is called the pronotum and its colouring is often useful in identification.
Cockroaches are nocturnal in habit, hiding during the day in dark crevices. They will feed on almost any kind of stored foodstuffs, especially starchy or sugary ones, and will also sometimes attack other animal and plant products, such as leather, hair and paper.
There are over 2000 species of cockroaches (Shammn M., 1981). Four species /of cockroach occur regularly in this country. The colour and external features may distinguish the species. Viz.:
i) Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
ii) Blatta orientalis (Oriental Cockroach)
iii) Periplaneta Americana (American cockroach)
iv) Periplaneta australasiae (Australian cockroach)