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 Identification Scientific Name: Periplaneta americana Common Names: Cockroach, roach, blatte, cafard, coquerelle, cucaracha Classification Class: Insecta Order: Orthoptera Suborder: Blattodea Family: Blattidae Genus: Periplaneta Species: There are 3,500 species of cockroaches distributed around the globe |
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Habitat
Cockroaches are found all over the world, in every climate, from hot, dry deserts and hot, wet tropical forests to cold, dry mountaintops. Since they are tropical insects, however, they are most common in hot regions, or more generally anywhere they can find warmth and food. This is why they are so fond of homes, restaurants, hotels and any other inhabited places where they can feast on food scraps.
The domestic cockroaches we know in North America were actually imported from the Old World. Over the past four centuries, they have hitched rides on ships crossing the Atlantic.
Profile
Cockroaches might be called living fossils: they first appeared 350 million years ago. They are the oldest and most primitive winged insects that have survived to the present day. The 3,500 existing species are basically identical to the very first forms of cockroaches that flourished in the Carboniferous Period.
Cockroaches are generally recognizable by their flattened, oval bodies, their heads concealed by a structure called the pronotum, and their very long, hairlike antennae.
The largest cockroaches live in the South American jungles, and can reach lengths of 100 mm (4 in.). They belong to the Megaloblatta blaberoides species.
Cockroaches are especially known as fast runners. Although they usually have wings, few species can fly.
Most species have long cerci, appendages extending from the abdomen and highly sensitive to any kind of vibration, be it sounds or air currents.
The females lay their eggs in clumps of 12 to 25. When they emerge, the nymphs resemble adults.
The best-known species are those found in houses. Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that hide away in narrow cracks during the day and come out at night to feed on whatever is available. They're not particular!
Cockroaches that live outdoors often hide away under rocks and dead tree trunks. They feed on rotting wood and on fruit, roots and leaves. In fact, they may be responsible for eliminating up to 5.6% of all the leaves and other organic debris on the forest floor every year.
Cockroaches are amazingly resistant to nuclear radiation. While a human exposed to 1,000 rads would die within 2 weeks, laboratory experiments have shown that cockroaches can easily withstand blasts of 6,400 rads. Some have survived 35 days of exposure to 9,600 rads! It sort of teaches us all-powerful humans a lesson in humility, doesn't it?
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