Discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGC) were observed in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), for the first time. Both insecticide resistant and susceptible B. germanica exhibited DGC at 10^oC when individuals were motionless. There was no clear distinction between the closed and flutter phases in both strains so data of these phases were combined as a closed-flutter phase. Duration of the closed-flutter and open phases of the cycle was significantly different between the two strains. For the resistant strain, the closed-flutter and open phases durations were 5.01+0.19 min and 6.21+0.13 min respectively, whereas the durations were 7.16+0.37 min and 6.73+0.17 min respectively for the susceptible. This results in a DGC of significantly longer duration of 13.9+0.44 min per cycle in the susceptible strain and 11.2+0.26 min per cycle in the resistant strain. Within the resistant strain the closed-flutter phase duration was significantly different from the open phase. Such that during a single cycle lasting ~11.23 min, 43.5% consisted of the closed-flutter phase while the open phase made up 56.5% of the cycle. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, there were no significant differences among DGC characteristics during the 3-4 h recordings. There was also no significant interaction between cockroach strain and DGC characteristics. Metabolic rate (ml g^-1h^-1) during the closed-flutter and open phases and between the resistant and susceptible strain were not different. In both strains, cuticular transpiration accounted for ~97% of total water loss per cycle. These data indicate that DGC in adult B. germanica at 10^oCdoes not result in a significant savings of water.