# Florida Woods Cockroach (*Eurycotis floridana*) The Florida Woods Cockroach is a big, brown insect that loves to hide in damp places like under leaves and logs. They are not scary and can be helpful in nature by breaking down dead plants. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Florida Woods Cockroach](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eurycotis_floridana_nymphs.jpg&width=800) Photo: Happy1892, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurycotis_floridana_nymphs.jpg) ## Appearance The Florida Woods Cockroach is a large, stout insect with a shiny, dark reddish-brown to black body. It lacks functional wings, displaying only small, vestigial wing pads, which makes it distinct from most winged cockroaches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Blattodea - **Family:** Blattidae - **Genus:** Eurycotis ## Interesting facts - Despite their name, they are also found in other Gulf Coast states, not just Florida! - Florida Woods Cockroaches love damp places and are sometimes called 'palmetto bugs' by mistake! - These cockroaches are ancient, with relatives dating back millions of years before dinosaurs! - They communicate with each other using special chemicals called pheromones, like secret messages! ## Special abilities - **Stink Bomb Shield:** Florida Woods Cockroach can spray a stinky, foul-smelling liquid from its rear to scare away predators. - **Armored Shell:** Florida Woods Cockroach has a very tough exoskeleton that protects it from dangers and impacts. - **Night Navigator:** Florida Woods Cockroach can find its way in the dark using long antennae to feel and smell. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 30-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This cockroach is a nature's clean-up crew, munching on dead plants, fungi, and other decaying bits. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying plant matter, Fungi, Rotting wood, Dead insects, Algae - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Southern Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-toad) (*Bufo terrestris*) — Toads prey on them in moist forest habitats. - **Eaten by:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Lizards hunt smaller cockroaches in vegetation. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Omnivorous mammals scavenge for them at night. - **Depends on:** Live Oak (*Quercus virginiana*) — Feeds on decaying leaves and wood from these trees. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch cockroaches from a distance and not touch them, as they can be a bit surprising! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Florida Woods Cockroach? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Florida Woods Cockroach? 30-45 mm ### How long does Florida Woods Cockroach live? 365-730 days ### What does Florida Woods Cockroach eat? This cockroach is a nature's clean-up crew, munching on dead plants, fungi, and other decaying bits. ### Where is Florida Woods Cockroach usually found? Forests ### How does Florida Woods Cockroach hunt? Scavenging ### How many legs does Florida Woods Cockroach have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Saint Leo Abbey](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saint-leo-abbey) — Florida, US · Historic Site ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Florida Woods Cockroach: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/florida-woods-cockroach)