Bug FAQSmokybrown Cockroach
Periplaneta fuliginosa · Order: Blattodea · Family: Blattidae
Also called: smoky-brown cockroach, Smokeybrown cockroad
Source: Wikipedia
The smokybrown cockroach is a large, winged insect about 32 to 35 mm long (1.3 to 1.4 in). It lives around building perimeters where it can find food, especially in the southern United States, Japan and other warm, humid regions. It feeds on a wide range of decaying organic matter and is most active in the evening when humidity is high.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults reach 32 to 35 mm (1.3 to 1.4 in) in length and have wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
They are considered pests in many areas, frequently entering homes, restaurants, hospitals and other crowded places.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They are usually found around the edges of buildings where food sources are available.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They are detritivores and will eat many kinds of decaying organic material.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
They are most active at night when humidity is highest.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Common in Japan and the southern United States, especially Florida, the Gulf states and along the lower Mississippi River.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 10 of 51 states and DC. Most records: South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, Louisiana.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Are they dangerous to my home?
Yes. They readily invade homes, restaurants, hospitals and other crowded places.
Source: Wikipedia
When are they most active?
They are most active in the evening when humidity is high.
Source: Wikipedia
Where are they commonly found?
They are common in Japan and the warm, humid regions of the southern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast and the lower Mississippi River.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Blattidae)
American CockroachPeriplaneta americanaCan spread germs or disease
Oriental CockroachBlatta orientalisCan spread germs or disease
Australian CockroachPeriplaneta australasiaeNuisance, not dangerous
Turkestan CockroachPeriplaneta lateralis
Florida Woods CockroachEurycotis floridana
Gisborne CockroachDrymaplaneta semivittaHarmlessSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokybrown_cockroach
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.