Cockroaches: A Brief Introduction

By Larry Slawson

This book explores the traits and characteristics of cockroaches, as well as natural (and traditional) methods for exterminating these common pests.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Slawson
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019

Book preview

COCKROACHES: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

LARRY SLAWSON

JULY 2019

INTRODUCTION

Common Name: Cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Superorder: Dictyoptera

Order: Blattodea

Families: Blaberidae; Blattidae; Corydiidae; Cryptocercidae; Ectobiidae; Lamproblattidae; Nocticolidae; Tryonicidae

Common Household Cockroaches: German Cockroach; American Cockroach; Australian Cockroach; Oriental Cockroach

The cockroach is a species of insects belonging to the order Blattodea, which includes termites. There are approximately 4,600 types of cockroach known to currently exist in the world, with about thirty of these residing near (or in) human dwellings. Of these, four are considered pests. The word cockroach is derived from the Spanish word cucaracha. Its Latin (scientific) name, on the other hand, derives from the word Blatta, which refers to an insect that shuns the light.

Cockroaches are classified as living fossils by the scientific community, as they are believed to have been around since the Carboniferous period, approximately 320 million years ago. Early roaches differed in some ways from modern cockroaches, however, as the ancient species is believed to have lacked internal ovipositors. Fossilized remains of ancient roaches also indicates that the species may have lacked hind wings in its early years.

CHARACTERISTICS