Pest Management Research Grants Awarded 2020

Back to Funded Pest Management Research Grants (2013 - present)

Project Summaries

  • First investigations into the biology and management of an invasive cockroach species

    The three-lined cockroach, Luridiblatta (Phyllodromica) trivittata, native to North Africa and the Levant region, was first observed in California around 2004. Wingless, mature females have often been observed wandering into poorly-sealed buildings in summer and autumn, where they are sometimes misidentified as German cockroach nymphs, usually leading to unnecessary indoor insecticide applications (sprays or aerosols of liquid formulation pyrethroid insecticides). In some cases, the three-lined cockroach has been targeted as an outdoor nuisance pest, with the goal of reducing outdoor populations to prevent subsequent structural invasions. However, effective outdoor treatments have not been demonstrated, and attempts to reduce populations using insecticides and prevent structural invasions have largely failed. The life cycle and seasonal phenology of the species has never been studied. This project will identify the developmental biology, seasonal phenology, and diet of L. trivittata using lab colonies obtained from field collections. In addition, the project will evaluate the efficacy of commercially-available, professional bait products against L. trivittata in replicated lab bioassays.

    Media contact: Pamela Kan-Rice, Assistant Director - News and Information Outreach, 530-750-1221, pam.kanrice@ucanr.edu


For content questions, contact:
Jordan Weibel
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
E-mail: Jordan.Weibel@cdpr.ca.gov

John Gerlach
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
Phone: (916) 445-3909
E-mail: John.Gerlach@cdpr.ca.gov