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4-H and Youth
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Dictyoptera - cockroaches, praying mantids, and walkingsticks

Walkingstick
Walkingstick
Phasmidae
3 in.

The Dictyopterans are medium- to large-sized insects usually with two pairs of wings; the front pair leathery and the hind pair membranous, larger, and folded like a fan under the front wings when at rest. They all have chewing mouthparts. Metamorphosis is gradual. This order is composed by three main groups including walking sticks, cockroaches, and praying mantids. Walkingsticks and some cockroaches are wingless. Some cockroaches are found outdoors, but many are common indoor pests. Walkingsticks live outdoors and feed on plants. Praying mantids are considered beneficial because they feed on other potentially harmful pests.
American cockroach
American cockroach
Blattidae
1 3/8 in. 		German cockroach
German cockroach
Blattellidae
1/2 in.
Oriental cockroach (female)
Oriental cockroach (female)
Blattidae
7/8 in. 		Oriental cockroach (male)
Oriental cockroach (male)
Blattidae
7/8 in.
Wood cockroach
Wood cockroach
Blattellidae
1 in. 		Praying mantid
Praying mantid
Mantidae
3 in.


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