The cockroach
has life stages: the egg, nymph, an adult. Cockroach eggs are deposited in
groups in a leathery case or capsule called an OOTHECA. This capsule is usually
dropped or glued to some surface by the female and soon as it is deposited;
however, the female German cockroach carries the capsule protruding from body
until the eggs are ready to hatch. There may be from 30-48 eggs in the capsule
of German cockroach, but capsules of other cockroaches may have only 10-28 egg.
The newly hatch nymphs have no wings
and shed their skins (molt) several times before becoming winged adults. German
and brown banded cockroaches may have several generations per year, but the
outdoor species may require a year to develop from egg to adult.