The Lifecycle of a German Cockroach
Solomon’s Synopsis
Solomon Hess
11/14/2025
The German Cockroach undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. This involves three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. German roaches can reproduce both sexually and asexually, making them remarkably adaptable.
Females typically lay around 30 eggs, depositing them in a single protective case called an ootheca. This ootheca measures approximately 8 mm (or ¼ inch) in length, has a long and cylindrical shape, is segmented, and exhibits a tannish amber color. The incubation period for the eggs is about 4 to 8 weeks, after which the nymphs emerge. For most of the incubation period, the female keeps the ootheca attached to her body, depositing it shortly before the eggs hatch.
After hatching, these nymphs undergo approximately 6 molts before reaching adulthood. German roaches are in the Hemiptera order, meaning nymphs do not require food during the molting process, which makes their development substantially easier. The entire growth cycle from egg to fully adult takes around 100 days, and when combined with a female roach’s ability to lay eggs every 3-4 weeks, allows for quick population increases given favorable environments.
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