Cockroach Stages  Cockroaches undergo egg and nymphal stages
before becoming adults. Eggs produced by female cockroaches are
enclosed in resilient egg cases known as oothecae. The oothecae
of cockroach species contain a range of nymph numbers which is
dependent on species. The time it takes for eggs to hatch into
nymphs varies between species as well and depends upon
environmental conditions. Nymphs free themselves from the
oothecae by working in concert.  Nymphs resemble adults in
appearance and behavior, although they are smaller in size and
do not have wings. Nymphs undergo a series of molts before
becoming fully mature adults. After the final molt, nymphs of
some cockroaches are equipped with wings.  After nymphs molt,
they are pale in color. Nymphal cockroaches that have recently
molted are often misidentified as albino roaches. Within a few
hours, they will darken to the proper color.  Adult cockroaches
have an average lifespan of around a year but it depends on
species. Temperature and other environmen