THE RANGE OF THE EASTERN WOODEATING COCKROACH, CRYPTOCERCUS PUNCTULATUS SCUDDER (BLATTARIA: CRYPTOCERCIDAE) IN THE UNITED STATES

The eastern woodeating cockroach, Cryptocercus punctulatus Scudder, has a geographic range more extensive than reported in the literature. The species occurs in the eastern portion of its range from eastern Maryland southwestward to central Georgia, the Fall Line generally defining the edge of the range in the southeastern portion. The southernmost extent of the range in Georgia and Alabama also coincides with the Fall Line. The westward limits in Kentucky and Tennessee correspond to the western edge of the Interior Low Plateau. In the northern portion of the range it occurs from southeastern Indiana northeast through southern Ohio, the western panhandle of West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and probably southwestern New York. In areas where Pinus species occur, Cryptocercus most often occurs in pine logs, although during this study it was found in logs of 31 tree species. At sites where it is not abundant, intensive efforts, including the examination of hundreds of logs may be necessary to document its presence.