Pycnoscelus striatus

Pycnoscelus striatus is a species of burrowing cockroach.^[2][3] It is closely related to the common plant pest Pycnoscelus surinamensis which has spread to tropical and subtropical regions across the world.^[4][5]

Pycnoscelus striatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Blattodea
Family:	Blaberidae
Genus:	Pycnoscelus
Species:	P. striatus
Binomial name
Pycnoscelus striatus (Kirby, 1903)[1]
Synonyms
Leucophaea striata Kirby, 1903 Pycnoscelus striata (Kirby, 1903)

Description

Anatomy and adults of both sexes (from Lucañas (2010)

Adult females are around 21 mm (0.83 in) in length, and have dark brown to black bodies with shiny paler brown wings which are variable in length. Males are around 14 mm (0.55 in), i.e. often less than half the size of females, with comparatively longer wings completely covering the abdomen.^[6]

In the original description by Kirby (1903, p.378), he noted the prosoma had a "front transversely striated",^[1] hence the species epithet (from the Latin striatus for its striated (i.e. lined) appearance, but which also can imply grooved or furrowed).

Range

Pycnoscelus striatus originated in the Indomalayan region and is endemic to at least Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan), Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), and the Philippines^[6]

Habitat

Pycnoscelus striatus is a burrowing cockroach, commonly digging in loose debris such as guano in caves, where they can reach a high density.^[7] It is found not to be displaced by the American cockroach.^[8]