What is the approximate duration of the German cockroach life cycle?

• A. About 30 days
• B. About 180 days
• C. About 100 days
• D. About 365 days

Answer: (C)

The time it takes for a German cockroach to go from an egg to a reproductive adult is about 100 days under typical indoor conditions. The life cycle starts with the egg case, which hatches in roughly 2–4 weeks. After that, the nymphs molt several times—usually 5–6 molts—before reaching adulthood. Development speeds depend on temperature and humidity; warmer, more humid environments speed things up, while cooler conditions slow them down. So, a ballpark of about three to four months, around 100 days, is a good, typical estimate. Shorter durations like about 30 days aren’t enough for all stages, while much longer times like 180 or 365 days generally only occur under nonstandard, less favorable conditions.