Genetic Analysis of Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) in Central Texas Using the ITS1 Region

American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) (L.), are common pests of urban environments. Analyzing spatial distribution of P. americana populations in all artificial, outdoor environment provided insight of gene flow among populations collected in central Texas, This information provides a better understanding of how and if populations were segregated, or if there was a single unified population. Populations call be genetically differentiated through determining variation of specific gene regions within populations. This study revealed a ubiquitous distribution of cockroach populations, and their ability to indiscriminately inhabit areas within an Urban environment. Overall, cockroaches were identified from a large interbreeding population with no discernable relationship between genetic variation of P. americana and spatial distribution.