Cockroach

Quick Take

• Cockroaches can survive something that would instantly kill almost any other creature, and it has nothing to do with nuclear radiation. See the survival facts →
• Your morning coffee habit might have a deeply unsettling cockroach connection you've never considered. Discover the coffee connection →
• Cockroaches move fast, and their true speed becomes jaw-dropping only when you make one critical comparison. Check their true speed →
• Out of thousands of cockroach species worldwide, only a tiny fraction are actually considered pests. So which ones should you really worry about? See the pest species →

Cockroaches can live for up to 30 days without food and one week without water. They can also live for up to a week without their heads.

There are about 4,500 species of cockroaches globally, but only about 30 of them are considered pests. The heaviest species in the world is the Australian rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which can weigh up to 1.2 ounces (35 grams).

6 Incredible Cockroach Facts

• They have existed for more than 300 million years.
• They have been clocked moving about 1.5 meters per second, which is roughly 3.4 miles per hour — though proportionally, that would be like a human running over 200 miles per hour.
• They breathe through special body tubes called spiracles, which also regulate the amount of water in their bodies. If they are close to dehydration, cockroaches will not breathe for up to 40 minutes.
• They can carry 33 kinds of bacteria, six different types of parasitic worms, and seven known pathogens.
• They are social insects that live in groups called intrusions.
• Coffee drinkers may be dismayed to learn that mass-produced coffee has been known to contain roaches.

Evolution and Origins of Cockroaches

The cockroach is one of the most ancient and resilient insects in the world, with a rich evolutionary history that dates back over 300 million years. The following sections explore the evolution and origins of cockroaches:

• Ancient ancestry: Fossil evidence indicates that the ancestors of modern cockroaches, known as roachoids, originated during the Carboniferous period around 320 million years ago, though true modern cockroaches only appear in the fossil record 125 to 140 million years ago. These ancient cockroaches were much larger than modern cockroaches and lived in the lush forests that covered much of the Earth at that time.
• Evolution of flight: Cockroaches are believed to have evolved flight as a means of escaping predators and colonizing new habitats. Fossil evidence indicates that the wings of early cockroaches were covered in a leathery membrane, similar to the wings of modern cockroaches.
• Climate adaptation: Cockroaches have adapted to a wide range of habitats and climates, from the hot and humid rainforests of South America to the cool and arid deserts of Africa. This adaptability stems from their ability to regulate body temperature, retain water, and modify behavior to suit their environment.
• Diverse diet: Cockroaches are omnivores and feed on a wide range of food sources, including leaves, fruits, and decaying organic matter. This diverse diet has helped them to survive and thrive in a variety of habitats.
• Pest status: Despite their evolutionary success, cockroaches have a negative reputation as pests due to their association with unsanitary conditions and the spread of disease. This is largely due to their tendency to seek out food and shelter in human habitats, where they can thrive and multiply.

Species, Types, and Scientific Names

There are at least 4,500 species of cockroaches in the world. Cockroaches are insects in the order Blattodea. This order also includes termites. They are all members of the Dictyoptera superorder.

All known roaches are members of three superfamily classifications and three epifamily classifications. You can also assign each to a family classification.

• Nocticolae: There are about 32 species in this family, with most living in caves in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
• Corydiidae: There are about 40 genera in this group, with many being called sand cockroaches.
• Ectobiidae: This is the largest family of cockroaches as it contains more than 223 genera and 2,381 species, including wood cockroaches, German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), and brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa).
• Blaberidae: There are 165 genera and 1,198 species in this family, including many large cockroaches like the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). The Pacific beetle cockroach, which is popular for its milk production, belongs to this family as well.
• Blattidae: This is another sizeable family as it contains at least 41 genera and 594 species, including the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and the Brown cockroach (Supella longipalpa). Another member of this family is the Oriental cockroach. Large Oriental cockroaches are often called black beetles.
• Lamproblattidae: This family contains only three genera and 10 species, with most living in Central and South America.
• Tryonicidae: This family contains about 10 genera and 17 species, with most living in New Zealand, Australia, and New Caledonia.
• Cryptocercidae: There is only one known genus of this family and 12 known species, including the brown-hooded cockroach (Cryptocercus punctulatus).

Cockroaches are a testament to the resilience and diversity of life on our planet, with a fascinating evolutionary story of survival and adaptation spanning hundreds of millions of years.

Appearance: How to Identify Cockroaches

It can be difficult to describe this insect because there are so many different variations. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest winged cockroach is the Megaloblatta longipennis, which is 3.8 inches long, and its body is 1.75 inches across. This species has a wingspan of almost 8 inches. It lives in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Another giant specimen is Australia’s rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). This wingless insect is about 3.1 inches long. It digs holes in the ground for its home. It is also one of the heaviest species, as it can weigh up to 1.2 ounces (35 grams).

While many cockroaches have wings, only a handful of species are capable of flight. These include the brown-banded cockroach, the Pennsylvania wood cockroach, and the Cuban cockroach.

They are social insects. Their feces and other parts of their bodies contain pheromones. This allows them to communicate so that they can all gather together in a harborage area.

Habitat: Where to Find Them

These insects prefer tropical climates, but they are adaptable and can be found throughout the world. Even though they love warm and humid weather, they can live in below-freezing temperatures, so you can even find them in the Arctic. In some regions, they are known as Palmetto Bugs.

They prefer to be near a source of water and an easy food source. While they can survive up to 10 days without water and 30 days without food, they prefer habitats where both are readily available.

Diet

They are opportunistic feeders that will eat almost anything. While they prefer to live on sweets and greasy foods, if those are not available, they will eat anything that was once alive or growing, or made from such materials, such as paper or wooden items. When desperate enough, they will even eat other cockroaches who have perished.

Prevention: How to Get Rid of Them

Preventing an infestation can be tricky because the things you love are also food sources they prefer. Keeping your area spotless can discourage these insects from settling in your home. Since they feed at night, it is essential that you thoroughly clean the kitchen and any area where your family eats before you go to bed. Empty all trash cans daily.

Seal up any cracks in your home. they can flatten their exoskeleton and splay their legs out to the sides. This allows them to fit through gaps you would not expect them to squeeze through.

Preventing cockroaches from entering your home often starts on the outside. Leave a gap of bare ground around your home’s foundation, since cockroaches thrive in grass and mulch. Remove all standing water sources from around your home. Keep your grass cut short, and do not allow junk to build up around your home’s exterior.