German cockroaches have _________.

• A. Two longitudinal bands on their thorax
• B. Light markings on their wings
• C. Spots on abdomen
• D. No markings

Answer: (A)

Two dark, parallel bands on the thorax behind the head are the easiest identifying feature of a German cockroach. This pronotum marking is distinctive and helps separate it from other common roaches found indoors. The two stripes are consistently visible on German cockroaches, even when the insect is light brown in color. Other species show different patterns—brown-banded cockroaches have light bands across the wings and abdomen, while American and Oriental roaches have different overall color patterns and head/ thorax markings. So that pair of longitudinal bands on the thorax is the telltale sign of the German roach.