This species is a native of the United States. Adult males are 7/8 to 1 1/8 inch long, and females are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. They have a chestnut brown color with lighter brown edges along the pronotum and wings. Females have wings that are reduced to about half or more of their abdomens and cannot fly. Nymphs are reddish brown, and the egg capsule is 1/2 inch long and yellowish brown. This species might be confused with either the German or the Brownbanded cockroach, but the markings are different. Additionally, this species tends to appear outdoors near lights rather than inside homes or food service areas.

The life cycle, completed after overwintering as nymphs, is nearly a year for this species of cockroach. Egg capsules are deposited in loose bark of trees. Adults are active between May and October.

The Pennsylvania wood cockroach will not survive for long in an indoor environment, but they are commonly brought in with firewood or accidentally fly into a structure when attracted to lights, though only males can fly. They may also become obvious to a homeowner because they tend to lay their egg capsules, hide under cedar shingles, and make their way in through crevices.