Parasites of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) in New York City.

Two nematode and 7 protozoan parasites were found in the first survey of parasites in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica L. 1785 in New York City. It is the first report of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi (Thelastomidae: Nematoda) and Endolimax blattae (Endamoebidae: Protozoa) from B. germanica. Parasites of cockroaches have been reported from throughout the world (Macadow, 1931; Chitwood, 1932; Semans, 1943; Armer, 1944; MacKinnon, 1961; Hoyte, 1961; Jenkins, 1964; and Guthrie and Tindall, 1968). There have been, however, no studies of the parasites of the common German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) in New York City. A parasitologic survey of this species in New York City was recently completed. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred five (105) cockroaches, adults and nymphs of all stages, were collected from 4 apartments situated between the second and sixth floors of typical middle-class, multiple family dwellings in Manhattan. Roaches were collected with forceps, at night, from the outer surface of interior sink and toilet pipes, and placed in glass bottles. They were anesthetized with ether, and examined under a dissecting microscope (40 X ) for ectoparasites. Each roach was then dissected and separate crush preparations made of adipose tissue, hindgut, midgut, foregut, and Malpighian tubules. The diluent employed was 0.6% saline; the slides were examined under 100 X magnification using a compound microscope. Protozoans isolated were preserved with Schaudinn's fluid and stained with Heidenhain's iron hematoxylin. Nematode species were preserved in Kahle's fixative, identified, and then sent to Mrs. M. B. Chitwood (Beltsville Parasitological Laboratory, USDA) for confirmation.