Cockroaches have evolved various reproductive strategies, including oviparity, ovoviviparity, and viviparity. We investigated patterns of maternal provisioning of hydrocarbons to the oocytes and embryos in the oviparous German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and the viviparous Pacific beetle cockroach (Diploptera punctata). Hydrocarbon biosynthesis in the German cockroach coincided with vitellogenesis, and all hydrocarbons were provisioned to the embryo during a short pre-oviposition period. In contrast, Diploptera females provisioned oocytes with little hydrocarbon, and most of the hydrocarbons were biosynthesized and provisioned to the embryo during gestation. The brood sac of Diploptera did not produce hydrocarbons, indicating that their uptake by embryos must follow hydrocarbon transport through the hemolymph. Radiotracer studies showed that although developing Blattella embryos can biosynthesize their own hydrocarbons, maternally provisioned hydrocarbons serve to waterproof the embryonic and nymphal cuticle. Thus, unlike other maternal provisions, which are metabolized by the embryo, maternally derived hydrocarbons remained unchanged during embryonic development and were subsequently lost only through shedding of the nymphal cuticle.