Cariblatta lutea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cariblatta lutea |
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| Nymph of Cariblatta lutea from Durham, NC | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Ectobiidae
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| Genus: |
Cariblatta
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| Species: |
C. lutea
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| Binomial name | |
| Cariblatta lutea (Saussure & Zehntner, 1893)
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The Cariblatta lutea is a tiny type of cockroach. It lives in the United States and other countries. An adult Cariblatta lutea is usually about 7 millimeters long. When it first hatches, it's less than 2 millimeters long!
This cockroach has two main types, called subspecies. One is the small yellow cockroach (Cariblatta lutea lutea). The other is the least yellow cockroach (Cariblatta lutea minima).
The egg case of the Cariblatta lutea is called an ootheca. Sometimes, a special kind of wasp called an ensign wasp (Hyptia floridana) might lay its eggs inside the cockroach's egg case.
Contents
Meet the Subspecies
There are two known types of Cariblatta lutea. They are Cariblatta lutea lutea, first described in 1893, and Cariblatta lutea minima, described in 1916. These two types live in slightly different places. They also overlap in areas like Florida. Because of this, some scientists think they might be different species, not just subspecies.
What Do They Look Like?
The Small Yellow Cockroach
The Cariblatta lutea lutea is a light brownish-yellow color. Its head is pale brown. It often has a dark band between its eyes. You might also see some dark brown spots on its face.
The shield behind its head, called the pronotum, usually has small brownish spots. The sides of this shield are clear. Its leathery front wings, called tegmina, usually do not quite reach the end of its body.
Male cockroaches of this type have shorter wings than females. The tips of the female's wings are rounded. Females are also usually bigger than males. A female's body is about 7.0 to 9.5 millimeters long. A male's body is about 5.8 to 8.1 millimeters long.
The Least Yellow Cockroach
The Cariblatta lutea minima is generally smaller than the Cariblatta lutea lutea. It also has shorter front wings. Males of this type have shorter inner wings. They also have a narrower plate on their underside.
Males of C. l. minima are a bit smaller than females. Male bodies are about 5.4 to 7.7 millimeters long. Female bodies are about 5.8 to 8.0 millimeters long.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The first part of the name, Cariblatta, comes from the Carib people. They lived in the Caribbean. The word Blatta is Latin. It means "an insect that avoids light." This refers to cockroaches and other insects that hide from the sun. The word lutea means yellow in Latin.
Where Do They Live?
Small Yellow Cockroach Homes
The Cariblatta lutea lutea lives in the coastal areas of the southeastern USA. This includes states like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. It also lives on the island nation of Cuba.
In the southeastern US, you can find them in forests. They hide in piles of leaves, grass, and pine needles. In Florida, they live in many different plant areas. They have also been found in gopher burrows and near houses.
Least Yellow Cockroach Homes
The Cariblatta lutea minima has only been found in Cuba. It also lives in several counties in Florida.
In Florida, they live in hardwood forests and the Keys. They are also found in open pine forests. You can find them in different types of scrublands and marshy areas. They have even been collected in grasses behind beaches.
Images for kids
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Adult female laying an egg case.
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Adult male Cariblatta lutea.
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A newly hatched Cariblatta lutea.
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Egg cases of Cariblatta lutea from Durham, NC.
See also
In Spanish: Cariblatta lutea para niños
