Adults are about ½ inch long; the body is light brown or yellowish brown. This species closely resembles the German cockroach, but it is capable of flying. Nymphs are blackish brown, and the margins of abdominal segments are pale brown.
Egg case contains 38 to 44 eggs; incubation is about 20 days. Females produce six egg cases. Nymph development is about 68 days. Adult males live about 45 days and females about 103 days.
Habits. They occur outdoors in vegetation; adults fly to reflected light. Flights occur at sunset and when winds are Asian cockroach light.