Is a cockroach an insect or not? From the life of red cockroaches

There are more than 4,500 species of these insects on the planet. Cockroaches are quite ancient creatures that lived in the Paleozoic, hundreds of millions of years ago. These flat and very mobile creatures love moisture and warmth. A number of cockroaches have chosen human dwellings for their habitat, linking their way of life to ours.

Despite the general hostility towards these insects, it is impossible to get rid of them. But it turns out that cockroaches have a number of amazing properties. True, some of them are even exaggerated with the help of myths. It is worth learning more about such familiar, but also such mysterious ancient creatures.

Cockroaches are able to survive a nuclear winter, after which they will become the kings of nature. The famous American program “MythBusters” held interesting experience. Red cockroaches, better known as cockroaches, flour beetles and fruit flies were irradiated with radioactive cobalt-60. It turned out that the latter could tolerate higher doses of radiation than cockroaches. And the beetles in general have adapted best to radiation. Scientists have found that cockroaches can withstand radiation levels 15 times higher than lethal levels for humans. So if these insects undoubtedly survive the nuclear winter, then on the way to conquering the world they will meet serious rivals.

Cockroaches can survive being underwater. And again, “MythBusters” undertook to check this statement. Five cockroaches were placed in a container of water for 20 minutes. After this, the insects showed no signs of life; it seemed that they had died. However, within a day the cockroaches “came to life,” so this statement turned out to be true.

A cockroach can live without a head. Anyone can check this myth. For those who care about the result itself, and who care about catching a poor cockroach and torturing it, let us tell you right away that this is true. For some time, these insects can actually do without a head. The fact is that insects do not have the same circulatory system as warm-blooded animals. As a result, cutting off the head will not be accompanied by blood loss and will not result in a quick death. And the respiratory organs of cockroaches are represented by spiracles distributed throughout the body. Without food, this insect can live up to 45 days. So, having lost its head, the cockroach will lose its organs of vision and whiskers, which it uses to touch. Death will come from starvation in about a month. The poor creature will simply have nowhere to eat.

Cockroaches are peaceful creatures and do not feed on other creatures. By their nature, these insects are truly non-aggressive. They would rather run away than fight. Cockroaches subconsciously strive for safety; there is no need to talk about attacks on other creatures. However, it is worth remembering that these insects are omnivores. That is why a long absence of regular food can push them to attack living beings. Only they should be in a state of rest, for example, sleep, and not visually appear dangerous.

Cockroaches can fly. Since cockroaches are insects, all species have wings. They make cockroaches look like seeds, which allows them to be classified as this class of creature. But not all cockroaches can fly. Only a few species living in conditions have this gift. wildlife. And the vast majority of species, including the red and black cockroaches, fly in normal conditions do not know how. But during the breeding season they can take to the air. They are also forced to spread their wings by a light source.

There are white cockroaches and albino cockroaches. Some species actually boast white representatives. However, it has been scientifically proven that albino cockroaches do not exist in nature. These creatures can change their color literally for several hours during molting. Then the old shell is discarded, and the new one has not yet acquired normal properties. Cockroaches can also turn white due to exposure to certain types of poisons, in particular those used for household insect extermination. If unusual white cockroaches appear in the apartment, it means that the person’s victory is already close.

Cockroaches do not pose a danger to humans at all. It turns out that an unpleasant appearance is not the worst thing about these creatures. They are quite dangerous for humans. In particular, the smell that is released from the glands of such insects is unpleasant, and some asthmatics react to it. And fumes coming from cockroaches can cause allergies. The most important thing is that cockroaches are carriers of bacteria. This is why you should not leave food on the table overnight. After all, it will not only become a source of food for cockroaches, but they will also infect it. If these insects do not have enough food, they will feed on plants, paper and even skin. That is why the abundance of cockroaches in the house will be harmful not only to humans, but also to their environment.

Cockroaches cause asthma. About 50 years ago it became known that there was a direct connection between cockroaches and allergic diseases. This is especially evident in the case of asthma. In every city multi-storey building Home to from one to three hundred thousand different insects. Most of them are cockroaches. Scientists believe that most allergies occur in homes, since people, especially children, spend most of their time there. There are periodic allergies that are associated with the seasons, and there are year-round allergies that can be caused by cockroaches.

Cockroaches feed on leftover human food. As already mentioned, these insects are omnivores. The best food for them is what is left of human food - crumbs, leftovers. In addition, cockroaches love sweets. If it is difficult to find such food, then they try to find food among the garbage. Cockroaches do not disdain rotting products and other waste. If there are no food remains in the garbage, then insects can feed on plants, paper and skin.

Cockroaches reproduce by laying eggs. Cockroaches use sexual reproduction to reproduce. Sometimes female cockroaches are capable of pathogenesis; a normal individual can grow from their unfertilized eggs. Usually the result is a male. This is how the sex ratio of cockroaches is regulated. When the female is fertilized, she carries an ootheca. Eggs are stored in this capsule. When the time comes, the female cockroaches lay eggs in a secluded place inaccessible to other insects. However, not all cockroaches reproduce this way. There are also viviparous species, for example, Madagascar cockroaches.

Cockroaches can't bite. And again let us remember the omnivorous nature of insects. These creatures can eat any food of animal origin. When a person is asleep and practically immobilized, cockroaches may even try to bite people.

Cockroaches feed on bedbugs. This is a fairly common misconception and is not true. The fact is that there is no natural competition for food between these creatures. Cockroaches are omnivores, and bedbugs are blood-sucking. The former can attack the latter only in an exceptional situation, when there is no other food.

Cockroaches don't make sounds. There are also hissing cockroaches. One species is called the Madagascar hissing. When moving, these insects make a loud hissing noise. Thus, cockroaches clear their way, warning everyone that it is better to get out of the way. This feature was even noticed by filmmakers and now you can even hear cockroaches in some films.

Cockroaches die on their backs. This is true. If a cockroach falls on its back in a flat place, for example, on the surface of a table, then it will not be able to turn over on its own. All he can do is twitch. As a result, the cockroach will die. If there are leaves, branches or pebbles on the surface, then the insect may well be able to cling to them and be able to tumble over. That is why substances are added to pesticides that paralyze the muscles of insects.

Cockroaches have a global impact on nature. It turns out that these creatures make a significant contribution to global warming. Cockroaches release gases every 15 minutes. And even after dying, they continue to do this for about 18 hours. In total, all the gases released by insects on the planet account for about a fifth of methane emissions. Cockroach gases occupy an important place in this 20 percent. So cockroaches have a certain impact on nature and on global warming. Cows and termites can also boast of similar things.

Cockroaches are eaten. In some countries, cockroaches are eaten, including for medicinal purposes; black cockroaches are especially valued in this regard. It turns out that these insects contain three times more protein than chickens. In Chinese cuisine, candied cockroaches are a fairly popular dish.

You can destroy cockroaches on your own. Many people believe that they can defeat annoying insects without calling a specialist. However, making homemade baits and purchasing popular products not only does not lead to the final destruction of cockroaches, but only makes the situation worse. After all, pests gradually get used to the drugs; you can only slightly reduce the number of insects. Conventional household preparations have a targeted effect and do not have a long-term effect. So for a 100% guarantee of removing cockroaches, it would be better to use the help of professionals.

Cockroaches can be destroyed forever. Some enterprises believe that after treating the areas, cockroaches will disappear once and for all. In fact, this is almost impossible to achieve. After all, after getting rid of “their” insects, the empty area will immediately become the object of close attention of other creatures. Over time, they will want to settle in the vacant territory and will make every effort to do so. It is worth understanding that many fly-by-night companies take advantage of this myth and deceive their clients by promising cheap processing with a multi-year guarantee. If a new generation of cockroaches of several dozen individuals enters the warm generation, then the next generation will increase the population thousands of times. That is why best effect can only be achieved by quarterly and regular processing. This is the only way to prevent cockroaches from multiplying.

Cockroaches live only in dirty houses. In fact, even in clean homes you can find these insects. It’s just that their colonies are larger in dirty dwellings, because access to food is easier. Therefore, it is easier to meet cockroaches here.

Cockroaches do not hibernate. This is not true, in America, for example in the northern territories, there are wild species that hibernate.

Cockroaches are afraid of light. Most species prefer darkness, but some cockroaches, on the contrary, are drawn to light. You can see them near the window or near the TV screens at night. Most cockroaches will run away if a light flashes above them. However, such a reaction indicates more fear of a person, and not a fear of light.

Human hair and nails are the favorite food of cockroaches. This myth appeared quite a long time ago. Sailors of the ancients sailing ships they told how their nails were chewed by cockroaches at night. However, today this is impossible, unless the insects get very hungry. Hair and nails may have limited nutritional value for a cockroach. After all, hair can be greasy and nails dirty. But it is very difficult for such food to compete with the variety of food found around the house. So you can sleep peacefully, just watch your ears. After all, cockroaches can try to look for food in the ear canals.

Immature cockroaches can develop in human wounds or fast foods. This myth is connected with the previous one, which claims the love of these insects for human flesh. In fact, cockroaches thrive in humid and warm areas, but they do not use human flesh for this purpose. Bites are possible, but only in rare cases.

Cockroaches need to constantly feed. It seems so, since cockroaches are constantly moving, as if in search of food. In fact, these insects can live without food for about a month. As for humans, the presence of moisture is much more important. For example, Prussians can live without water for about a week. True, in nature there are desert cockroaches that can survive without moisture long time.

Despite their habits, cockroaches are pure creatures. To prove this myth, they say that cockroaches can clean themselves. The reality is that these insects are very dirty. They live and feed in garbage, sewers, waste. There they pick up and carry bacteria on their antennae and legs, spreading them everywhere they go, including into our food. Cockroaches eat contaminated food, and diseases are also transmitted through their own waste. So these insects are dangerous, regardless of whether they can clean themselves.

If you step on a cockroach, its eggs can get stuck in your shoes and then multiply in the house. This myth is most likely false, although it has been vigorously discussed. If the cockroach is really crushed, then it is better to clean the shoes in any case. It's best not to risk hundreds of insect eggs appearing in your home. It is better to protect yourself in advance than to start dealing with emerging problems later.

The appearance of cockroaches in a house always makes a person want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. This is natural, because such a neighborhood brings a lot of problems, ranging from banal hostility from their appearance to the threat of contracting diseases (typhoid, tuberculosis, E. coli, etc.) and the development of allergies to the waste products of these insects.

But before you start getting rid of cockroaches, it won’t hurt to learn more about them: what kind of insects they are, how they live and what they are afraid of. This will help you find more ways to fight them. effective remedy.

Cockroaches are arthropod insects of the suborder Cockroaches. There are many species of them, differing from each other both in appearance and in their habitats and way of life. On the territory of Russia, the most common are red cockroaches, popularly called Prussians. They have been called Prussians since the time of the war with Napoleon, whose army brought these barbels to Russia from Prussia.

What do red cockroaches look like?

Cockroaches have wings, but these insects cannot fly. The only benefit of wings is that they allow barbels to glide in the air for a short time.

The oral apparatus of cockroaches is gnawing, equipped with jaws with many strong chitinous teeth. On the sides of the triangular head are compound eyes. Long mustaches are not at all a decoration or a source of “pride” for a cockroach: they are a kind of “navigators” that help the insect navigate in space, find food and its fellows. However, even a headless cockroach can continue to live (move and breathe) for some time thanks to the ganglia - nerve nodes located in each section of the 8-10 segment abdomen.

The cockroach has 6 legs, 3 on each side of the body. The paws are very strong and tenacious, which allows the insect to calmly move along the vertical surface and ceiling of the room.

These barbels eat literally everything: from human food to thick paper, leather goods, glue, soap, etc.

Lifestyle

Prussians cannot stand the cold, so in winter they tend to settle closer to humans. They settle in sewer systems, ventilation, basements, but most comfortable for them, of course, is right in the apartments, where there is always water, heat and food.

By nature, cockroaches are more active at night. But if the colony is too large and there is not enough food for everyone, the insects go out in search of food even in the middle of the day. They can be seen especially often in the kitchen and bathroom. It is in these places that there is always water and food:

• Products not removed from the table;
• crumbs falling on the floor;
• waste in the trash can;
• drops of drinks or water that accidentally fell on the floor, etc.

If the apartment is kept perfectly clean and the barbels have nothing to eat in the kitchen, then paper, glue from the back of a torn piece of wallpaper, book bindings and other seemingly inedible things are used.

Females are more voracious. They are able to eat amounts of food several times their own weight. Males eat about 2 times less.

Reproduction

Cockroaches are not hermaphrodites, as many still believe today. These insects are of different sexes; accordingly, both male and female participate in reproduction.

The glands of females produce a special odorous secretion that attracts males. After mating, the male leaves the female and goes in search of the next one. The fertilized “cockroach” also no longer needs this male: after fertilization, his gametes remain in her body, which she will subsequently consume “in portions” and repeatedly. Gametes are stored for a long time in the ovipositor (a special chamber in the female’s abdomen). The female “grows” a certain number of them immediately after fertilization, the rest she “preserves” for the future, when it’s time to make the next clutch. This “self-fertilization” has led many to mistakenly believe that cockroaches are same-sex.

Reproduction takes place in several stages:

• after mating, a portion of eggs enters the ooteca - a special translucent capsule on the abdomen of the female (up to 4 dozen eggs can be formed in the ooteca at the same time);
• shortly before the birth of the offspring, the female throws the grown capsule into a dark, inconspicuous place;
• there small cockroaches are “born” - nymphs, which already outwardly resemble adult insects, but differ from the latter light shade;
• nymphs immediately begin to feed on the same things as adults, and after only 2 months (during this time they endure several molts) they already become fully sexually mature and begin to reproduce.

Cockroaches live from 4-7 months to 1-2 years. Over the course of a year, one female will form about 9-10 oothecae, which is equal to approximately 3-4 hundred new cockroaches.

With such rapid reproduction, there can be no question of good neighborliness with these insects. Considering all the risks associated with health threats, you need to get rid of the Prussians at any cost and as soon as possible.

How to fight

You can destroy cockroaches in different ways. It depends on the number of insects and on the capabilities and preferences of humans.

As always, chemical and folk remedies help to poison the Prussians. The first of them are more effective and solve the problem faster. The latter are less dangerous to use, but require time, sometimes repeated use, to achieve results. The effect of each method may also be different.

Chemicals

These include insecticides (gels, traps, aerosols, powders, crayons), which are now widely represented in the assortment of hardware or specialty stores:

But no matter how strong the insecticides are, none of them has a lethal effect on well-protected cockroach eggs. Any chemical product requires reuse when a new generation of insects is born.

Traditional methods

Trying to get the Prussians out using folk recipes always less expensive and more secure. However, these methods are not always ideal in terms of their effectiveness. But if allergy sufferers or people whose use of chemicals is clearly contraindicated live in the house, folk remedies will the best solution. Especially if there are not many cockroaches in the apartment yet:

1. Freezing. Since cockroaches cannot stand the cold, you can try freezing them out. But we must take into account that the death of insects will not occur so quickly, and the home will need to be ventilated for at least 2 hours. The outside temperature should be -10C or lower. Disadvantages: the method is only acceptable in winter time, additional care is required household appliances and heating system to avoid breakdowns and accidents.
2. Ammonia. Cockroaches cannot stand the smell of this alcohol, but they do not die. The pungent “aroma” of ammonia disorients insects, disabling their sense of smell. Under such conditions, longhorned beetles lose the opportunity to live fully and therefore rush to leave the territory that smells of ammonia. To expel cockroaches, it is enough to carry out regular cleaning with water in which ammonia is dissolved. Cons: does not kill, but only repels, ammonia vapors are unsafe for humans, repeated regular use is required.
3. Boric acid. This is the most popular folk remedy, and with a 100% guarantee. You can scatter boron powder around the perimeter or corners or lay out bait balls from a liquid solution with food (semolina, mashed potatoes, boiled eggs, etc.). A cockroach will definitely crawl to the smell of food, feast on the poison and die after a while. But in addition to the intestinal action, boric acid It also has contact. That is, the cockroach may not eat the bait; it only needs to touch it and bring particles of poison to the nest, where other individuals will be poisoned in a chain reaction. Disadvantage: boric acid in any form should be inaccessible to animals and children.

Poison cockroaches traditional methods Can. But it’s better if you use them at the very beginning, when the barbels have just appeared in the apartment and have not had time to breed. Otherwise, it would be more advisable to give preference to chemical agents. If you can’t successfully fight cockroaches on your own at home, only a specialized service can save the situation.

An important condition for a successful outcome in the fight against cockroaches is to limit the access of insects to water, since a poisoned barbel will definitely drink and survive.

It is almost impossible to get rid of the Prussians forever and with a guarantee. You can never be sure that insects will not get into the house again from neighbors or with things brought from hotels, hospitals, etc. Therefore, it is better to adopt several methods of exterminating cockroaches in advance and use any of them as soon as at least one the barbel will be seen in the house.

Cockroaches, or cockroaches, (lat. Blattoptera, or Blattodea) are a detachment of insects from the superorder Cockroaches.

Cockroaches reproduce quickly and adapt to any living conditions, which is why they managed to survive many cataclysms on the planet, and they appeared in ancient times. Going through changes appearance and way of life, they managed to survive to this day. Today they live everywhere, even in cold climates, where they have learned to coexist with humans in living quarters.

Cockroaches in houses and apartments

These guests are extremely undesirable in houses and apartments, as they carry dangerous diseases. Their appearance and the growing number of individuals in the population frighten a person and make them want to eat as soon as possible.

Everyone has encountered these creatures at least once in their lives, but people know very little about them. In fact, only a few species of cockroaches can cohabit with humans, and their habits, reproduction and lifestyle are very interesting, and even if the insects inevitably die, knowledge about their characteristics will allow you to choose the most effective methods of control.

The main synanthropic species of cockroaches

The diversity of cockroaches includes several thousand species and varieties, but only a few of them are able to live in apartment conditions, and even fewer are resistant to methods of combating them.

Adapting or escaping to another place, they continue to live next to a person, use his home and eat leftover food.

Favorable factors for cockroaches living in residential premises:

• constant air temperature about +25 degrees;
• high humidity, dampness;
• darkened places in the home: behind furniture, baseboards, in cracks; it is especially comfortable for insects to live behind the refrigerator;
• availability of food and water.

If these pests have settled in such a room, it will be very difficult to remove them. Tropical conditions in the house they allow insects to actively reproduce, increasing their offspring tens and even hundreds of times annually.

Shape and body structure of a cockroach

Cockroaches are insects from the order Cockroaches. They all have a similar body structure: an oval-shaped and flat abdomen, a pair of antennae and three pairs of legs with spines and developed muscles. The eyes are located on the sides of the head and see in all directions. Vision in some species is atrophied. Individuals of synanthropic pests do not fly; in rare cases, males can make short flights or dive from a height, softening the fall by spreading their wings. Thin and mesh wings are hidden under dense elytra; in some individuals, the aircraft small size or completely absent. Pests have powerful jaws - this feature allows them to eat any solid food.

The abdomen is segmented and can consist of 8-10 parts, each of which has its own nerve nodes, for this reason the insect is able to control the body even without a head. The outermost segment of the abdomen has outgrowths - cerci. They testify to the ancient origin of these living creatures. The structural features of the legs allow you to move freely along vertical planes and quickly change the direction of movement.

The prehensile foot of a cockroach under a microscope

Prusak cockroach - an ordinary red cockroach

Most often, red cockroaches - Prussians - live next to humans. Their population in the wild is several times smaller than at home. Prusak is the smallest of all synanthropic animals, total length insect no more than 10-15 mm. They move very quickly, making them difficult to catch. The wings are well developed, slightly longer than the body, however, Prussians do not fly. They can be identified by their characteristic red color and dark brown stripes along the body. Another one distinctive feature- long whiskers, due to which they navigate in space, find food and water. The body is covered with a chitinous shell, which protects it from light blows.

Red domestic cockroach - Prusak

In Russia, the red pest is called German - this is due to its supposed place of origin. However, in Germany it is called Russian for a similar reason. Currently, Prussians are widespread everywhere. They choose dark and warm places to live with a sufficient amount of food and water; most often they settle in the kitchen and bathroom, near sinks and in cabinets.

Black cockroaches

The second most common representative of cockroaches in apartments is black. The population grows more slowly than that of redheads - this is due to individuals eating their own clutches of eggs and a later period of sexual maturity. Their body size is from 20 to 50 mm. Females are larger than males. They are distinguished by black or dark gray color with a metallic tint. They have developed wings; in males they are equal to the length of the body, in females they are half as long. Males use the aircraft for its intended purpose and can make short flights; the function of these body parts in females is to demonstrate readiness for fertilization. Representatives of black pests have an unpleasant characteristic odor. The chitinous shell is strong and it is quite difficult to crush an insect.

In the photo - a black cockroach

Prefer rooms with moderate temperature conditions And high humidity. Favorite habitats are sewers and basements, sometimes they live in bathrooms. They settle in living rooms only when the population reaches several hundred.

Comparison of black and red cockroaches - differences in the photo

American cockroach

In appearance it is similar to a Prussian. It has the same red or brown color on its belly and wings. They can be distinguished from other relatives by their size; they are large, up to 50 mm in length, and by dark brown spots on their bodies. The wings of males exceed the size of the abdomen, while those of females are slightly shortened. They can fly and jump. Long whiskers allow them to find food and detect air vibrations.

The American cockroach looks similar to the red Prusak

They settle mainly in sewers, heating mains and basements. They spread into apartments through ventilation shafts. They move very quickly, up to 75 cm per second.

The homeland of the American cockroach is Africa, from there it moved to North and South America, and then came to Europe. They are not often found in Russia; the more tenacious and prolific Prussians displace them from their habitats.

Other types of cockroaches

There are several more representatives of the squad who, although rarely, appear in apartments. They come from other countries and settle in a limited area, as a rule, in southern regions Russia, where the climate is warmer:

• Turkmen or Central Asian cockroach - has a brown color, turning into black towards the back of the body, there are no wings, the body is elongated.
• The Egyptian cockroach is painted in a rich black color, the body shape is close to round.

Separately, furniture cockroaches should be highlighted. They were discovered relatively recently, just a few decades ago. A distinctive feature of these creatures is their light, uneven color - on their abdomen all shades of brown in the form of spots or stripes.

They feed on paper, fabrics, glue, and because of this they often settle in libraries, bedrooms or offices. Mostly live in middle lane Russia.

Reproduction of cockroaches

The reproduction speed of these creatures can be the envy of many other insects. A large number of eggs in the clutch and short term reaching puberty, when favorable conditions residence, ensure population growth tens and hundreds of times a year. Reproduction occurs sexually throughout the year. During their life, cockroaches go through several stages of development and repeatedly change their appearance beyond recognition.

Individuals of different sexes. Males are always smaller in size than females, but their wings are better developed and enable them to fly. The female body is denser. The outermost segment of the male's abdomen has a genital plate.

Fertilization and gestation in cockroaches

Sexual maturity occurs as soon as the insect reaches the species adult. Fertilization is preceded by peculiar mating games. The female produces pheromones, attracting males and informing them that she is ready to bear eggs. Males of some species engage in battles for the right to fertilize a female, spread their wings and demonstrate their flight capabilities. Females also use small wings to attract attention by shaking them.

During fertilization, the male transfers genetic information to the female, which can be stored in her body for a long time and used for subsequent fertilization. The development of the offspring begins in a special capsule called the ooteca. Depending on the type of insect, the ootheca may be located outside the mother’s body on her abdomen, or located inside her until the larvae form. Before hatching, the female sheds her ootheca in a protected place. The capsule must always be moist during the development of eggs and larvae; drying out leads to the death of the offspring. Some representatives of the order are viviparous, the eggs are inside the mother and fully viable larvae are born. Depending on the species, mothers can care for the offspring after hatching or, relieving the swelling, permanently break the connection with them. From the laying of the capsule to the appearance of the larvae, an average of 3–4 weeks passes.

Fertility of cockroaches

For the whole life cycle the female can lay larvae 4–6 times. Each ootheca of the Prussian contains about 30 eggs, black up to 18. One female is capable of bringing from 20 to 200 larvae in her entire life.

The total offspring of one female individual during the year can reach values ​​of several thousand. The greatest fertility is inherent in the Prussian - up to 300 thousand individuals per year. The black one lays about half as many eggs. The American one reproduces much more slowly - only 800 larvae per year.

Development of cockroaches - from egg to adult

Over the entire period of life, these living creatures go through three phases of transformation. The process of these changes is called metamorphosis.

1. Egg– forms in edema, the period lasts 3-4 weeks, a larva develops in each egg.
2. Larva(nymph) – the period from birth to the acquisition of the form of an adult insect. Immediately after hatching, the larva is white, but very quickly turns brown and its shell hardens. At this stage, there are no wings, but the insect already looks like its parents. Nymphs molt up to 6 times, with each subsequent time they acquire more and more characteristics of an adult. The length of the period depends on the species and varies from several weeks to two years.
3. Adult(imago) – the stage of sexual maturity and readiness for reproduction. Further, the pests do not change their appearance until the end of their life cycle.

How long do cockroaches live?

There is a lot of controversy about the lifespan of these creatures - this is due to the fact that it is different for each species. Red Prussians live about a year, black ones - a maximum of 2 years, American Prussians live a little over a year as adults.

The duration of the stages of metamorphosis can vary not only from species to species, but also depending on conditions. Lowering the temperature and limiting nutrition can delay the development of eggs and nymphs indefinitely.

The lack of food can significantly shorten the lifespan of adult creatures, but even under these conditions, Prussians exist for about another month, after which they begin to eat their relatives or bite people, pinching off pieces of skin. Blacks can go without food for up to two months, but they never attack their own kind, dooming the entire population to death. Long-term survival without food is due to a very slow metabolism. The lack of water is more destructive for cockroaches; without it, pests can live no more than a week. A drop in temperature below zero shortens the life of insects to several hours.

Lifestyle and behavior of cockroaches

All cockroaches are nocturnal, and only with the cover of darkness do they leave their shelters in search of food. If pests appear during the day, it means that there are a large number of them and the population is experiencing an acute lack of food or moisture. During daylight hours, these creatures hide in dark places.

Cockroaches live in large groups, but in their population there is no distribution of roles like termites. However, scientists have experimentally proven that they make joint decisions, for example, about where to migrate. When the population’s place of residence becomes crowded, they divide into two groups and go in search of a new home. According to another study, the majority obeys the decisions of individuals.

In case of danger, which these creatures can notice with the help of vision and antennae, insects prefer to flee. During the day, pests are most vulnerable, so at this time of day they stay in cracks and corners.

Where do cockroaches live and hide?

Cockroaches love warmth, darkness And dampness identified their main places of residence. In addition to kitchens and bathrooms in residential apartments, they are attracted to warehouses, pantries, shops, public catering places, hospital wards, basements, ventilation shafts, through which they most often enter apartments and garbage chutes.

In an apartment, you can find hiding representatives of the population behind baseboards, in closets, under wallpaper, under parquet, linoleum, near trash cans, in cracks next to the water supply, under the sink - in these places they feel most comfortable. Only growing numbers and lack of food force them to explore new territories.

What do cockroaches eat?

Cockroaches are omnivores; anything can serve as food for them. They are especially attracted to:

• spoiled food;
• sweets;
• flour products;
• paper, including wallpaper, books;
• pieces of furniture;
• cloth;
• soap.

An indispensable condition for these creatures to live is water. If she is not there, they will quickly leave the room. In some cases, when there is an acute shortage of food, aggressive individuals can attack a person, feeding on particles of his skin and leaving harmful microbes for last. The Prussians are characterized by cannibalism.

Harm and benefits of cockroaches

Cockroaches can poison a person’s life, cause harm to health and property, have a terrifying appearance and bad smell make living with such neighbors impossible, but in living nature these creatures perform important functions, participate in nitrogen processing and support normal life ecosystems of the planet.

It is necessary to survive them from the apartment, but perhaps you should not treat them so dismissively and use the most humane methods to fight them. Knowledge about the characteristics of the representatives of the order, the reproduction and life of cockroaches will make it possible to force pests to leave the home without harm to people and the insects themselves.

10 minutes to read. Published 07/07/2018

On the territory of Russia and the former countries of the USSR there are 55 species of cockroaches, in total there are more than 7.5 thousand species. Some are raised as decorative pets, participants in cockroach races, an ingredient in some traditional Chinese dishes, and other species are even listed in the Red Book. It is not difficult to understand what class cockroaches belong to: they are insects.

On planet Earth there are a huge number of representatives of the order cockroaches

In this article:

Appearance of insects

The order of insects cockroaches belong to the animal kingdom, the phylum arthropods. Among them, there are 8 families of cockroaches and 9 families of termites.

Despite the huge number of species, structure and general characteristics cockroaches are similar in many ways:

This video shows how to determine the presence of cockroaches in the house:

Main types

To date More than 4.6 thousand species of cockroaches and almost 3 thousand species of termites are known. Most of them live in the tropics and subtropics. No more than 55 species are found on the territory of Russia, and the numbers of some of them are declining. Mostly we're talking about about cockroaches or red cockroaches: since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a decrease in their number in Russia, the CIS countries and other countries.

Scientists attribute this to improved sanitary conditions of housing, relocation of cockroaches to more suitable places (garbage dumps, etc.) and improved means of insect control.

Unscientific theories include chemical or radioactive pollution, the spread of GMO products that negatively affect cockroaches, deterioration of the ozone layer, and the use of non-ecological building materials.

Red cockroach, or Prusak

Their homeland is southern Asia, from where in the 18th century they moved to the countries of Europe and North America, displacing the black cockroach. The name "Prussian" is due to the fact that cockroaches supposedly came from Prussia.

The red cockroach is one of the most common species and is quite small in size.

Red cockroaches reach a length of 1−1.6 cm and are colored brown. On the upper half of their “back” there are 2 dark stripes. The male's body is narrower, with a wedge-shaped abdomen. Females are wider and their abdomen is more round. They can fly (more precisely, glide) thanks to their developed wings, but for a short time.

They can quickly form large colonies, as they reproduce actively and quickly. The species is one of the most common in Russia.

Black beetle

Distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa. Its population declined sharply at the beginning of the last century due to competition with red-haired relatives and the invention of new poisons.

The length of the black cockroach is 2−3 cm, the color is black or dark brown with a metallic sheen. Sometimes there is a red color. The elytra of the male are slightly shorter than the abdomen; in the female they do not reach the base of the abdomen at all. Insects don't fly, but they run fast. One of their features is an unpleasant odor, by which their presence is easily recognized.

Black cockroaches have an unpleasant odor and carry a number of diseases dangerous to human health.

Black cockroaches reproduce faster than red ones. In addition, they are carriers of many dangerous diseases, such as cholera and E. coli, and bring with them many harmful microbes from garbage dumps. The presence of these insects in a home indicates unsanitary conditions. It is imperative to get rid of them.

American representatives

It first appeared in the African tropics, but in the 20s of the 17th century it came to North America, and then to Europe.

In appearance, the American cockroach is similar to its red relative. The length of its body is 3.5−5 cm, the body itself is flat. Males outwardly look a little longer due to the wings: they protrude beyond the abdomen by 0.4-0.8 mm. The American cockroach can be red or Brown, with a pale brown or yellow stripe along the edges of the chest shield.

The American cockroach bites in self-defense, which can cause an allergic reaction.

American species easily adapt to external conditions, they are very nimble and fast, they can bite.

They eat any food they find, and not only them: their diet may include paper, soap, hair, dead insects, animal entrails, etc.

Carriers of microbes and bacteria dangerous to humans can cause allergies: the latter is observed in 50-60% of asthmatic adults and in almost 80% of children with the same disease.

Other types

The following are less common species that may be found in Russia:

It is worth special mentioning albino cockroaches. They are not a separate species- these are cockroaches after molting, which have not yet acquired their usual color. Discoloration may be due to exposure to chemicals.

Features of reproduction

Representatives of cockroaches develop very quickly, this allows them to create solid colonies in just a matter of weeks. Below is an approximate diagram of the life of cockroaches:

Due to the short gestation period, the fertility of cockroaches is enormous. For example, a Prussian dog can produce up to 300 thousand offspring in a year. The offspring of the black cockroach are half as large, while the “American” lays less than a thousand larvae.

Lifestyle

It is worth knowing about representatives of the cockroach family:

Use of insects

Despite the fact that cockroaches are unpleasant and dangerous insects to humans, not all of them are destroyed. Cockroaches are used:

Cockroaches are representatives of an order that includes more than 7.5 thousand species, more than half of which are cockroaches themselves. They differ in their habitat appearance and behavior, but all representatives have much in common. For humans, these insects can be extremely dangerous, as they spread germs and dangerous diseases.

Cockroaches (cockroaches, lat. Blattoptera, or Blattodea) - suborder of insects of the cockroach order. Sometimes it is allocated to a separate detachment.

More than 5,000 species of insects of this genus are known. The main part lives in the tropics and subtropics. There are about 50 species on the territory of the former USSR. Recently, there has been a depopulation of cockroaches in the CIS countries.

The origin of the word “cockroach” in Russian has not been precisely established. According to some sources, this word comes from Chuv. “tar-aqan” (running away), Turkic “täz” (to run away). According to others, it goes back to the derogatory use of the Turkic “tarkan” (dignitary), but there are other versions. In Turkic languages ​​there are also words “tarka” - to disperse.

The cockroach's body is flat, oval, from 4 mm to 9.5 cm (or more) in length. The head is triangular or heart-shaped, flat, opistognathic, covered with a shield-shaped pronotum. Mouthparts are gnawing. Cockroaches have strong jaws lined with chitinous teeth. The clypeus is simple, weakly separated or sharply separated from the forehead by a groove and divided into two parts. The eyes are large, there are two ocelli, but in wingless forms they are often atrophied. Sometimes both are absent (often in cave forms). The antennae are elongated, multi-segmented, bristle-like. The pronotum is large, almost flat, usually with transparent edges. The elytra are dense, but with distinct venation; The hind wings are membranous and fold under the elytra at rest. Often the elytra and wings are shortened or completely absent. The legs are running, usually with 5-segmented tarsi. The femora are flattened, mostly armed with spines below; There are three types of weapons. All tibiae with strong spines. The abdomen is elongated, consists of 8-10 tergites and 8-9 (males) or 7 (females) sternites, while tergite I of the male and tergites VI-VIII of the female are often specialized. The last tergite is the so-called the anal plate, which is very varied, sometimes asymmetrical, and is widely used in the definition. At the end, the abdomen bears long, usually segmented cerci. The external genital apparatus of the male is represented by the genital plate or hypandium - a specialized sternite IX; the internal one is located between the paraprocts and the inner surface of the hypandium and is very diverse. The ovipositor of the female modern species completely hidden.

Cockroaches are heat-loving and moisture-loving, very mobile insects that are predominantly nocturnal; during the day they hide under stones or fallen leaves, in cracks on the soil surface, in rodent burrows, under the bark of stumps and dying trees. Winged birds can fly to the light at night. They feed on plant and animal remains.

Cockroaches are one of the hardiest insects. Some cockroaches can live up to a month without food, and can also hold their breath for 45 minutes and slow their heart rate. It is widely believed that cockroaches will “inherit the earth” after a global nuclear war. Indeed, cockroaches have much more developed ability resist radiation than vertebrates: lethal dose radiation for them exceeds that for people by 6-15 times. However, they are still not as resistant to radiation as, for example, fruit flies.

Cockroaches reproduce sexually and parthenogenetically. Modern cockroaches lay eggs protected by a special capsule - an ooteca, which is sometimes carried by the female and sticks out at the end of the abdomen. Some species are viviparous. Cockroaches of the genus Cryptocercus and some others have complex parental behavior. The transformation is incomplete, the larvae of wingless species are difficult to distinguish from adults; develop from several months (red cockroach) to 4 years (black cockroach), molting 5-8 times during this period. They die at temperatures of -8°C and below.

I would like to note that some species of cockroaches, such as Cryptocercus, care for their offspring and have group behavioral factors similar to domestic red ants. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the cockroach leaves behind a chemical trail that other cockroaches will use to quickly find their way to sources of water, food or shelter. You need to pay attention to this when dealing with these unpleasant neighbors.

Man and cockroach. Why is a cockroach dangerous??

A number of cockroaches live in human dwellings, for example, the red cockroach (Prusak), the black cockroach. Others are brought with tropical products to temperate countries and sometimes take root in heated rooms (American cockroach). Cockroaches can damage food, leather goods, book bindings, indoor and greenhouse plants. Some cockroaches, feeding on various waste, including feces, are carriers infectious diseases(for example, dysentery) and worm eggs. There is information about the use of cockroaches as food and as medicine in folk medicine(black beetle). Giant cockroaches from Madagascar (Gromphadorhina portentosa), 6 to 10 cm long, are used in cockroach racing.

Types of cockroaches

Red cockroach (Blattella germanica) . Synonym: Prusak . Lives throughout the European part. Its body length is about 13 mm. Leads a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle. The cockroach has existed on earth for more than 300 million years in its unchanged form, as evidenced by the fossils of cockroaches and the well-preserved ancestors of cockroaches that died and were sealed several million years ago in amber.

The name “Prussian” in common parlance comes from the opinion that this type of insect came to Russia from Prussia (Germany). At the same time, in Germany and the Czech Republic themselves, these insects are called “Russian” (German: Russen), believing that they were brought from Russia. In contrast to the red cockroach, black cockroaches (Blatella orientalis) are called “Swabians” by Germans and Czechs (German: Schwaben, Schabe, Czech: Svabi). The same is true among the Serbs, where the Prussian is called “bubarus” (Russian beetle), and the black cockroach is called “bubashvaba” (German beetle).

The cockroach is native to southern Asia; in the 18th century it was brought to Europe and North America, where it multiplied widely in human dwellings. When the temperature drops below -5°, the cockroach dies, so in the cold northern climate it can only live in year-round heated houses.

Like all cockroaches, the Prussian is characterized by an incomplete development cycle. Adults reach a length of 10-16 mm and are colored in various shades of brown with two dark stripes on the dorsal side of the prothorax. It has developed wings and is capable of short flight (gliding). Males have a narrower body, the edge of the abdomen is wedge-shaped, its last segments are not covered by wings. In females, the body is wide, the edge of the abdomen is rounded and covered on top with wings.

Females lay 30-40 eggs in the ooteca - a brown capsule measuring up to 8x3x2 mm. Cockroaches often carry ootheca on themselves until after 14-35 days the eggs hatch into nymphs, which differ from adults only in the absence of wings and, usually, darker coloring. The number of molts through which the nymph will turn into an adult varies, however, it is usually six. The time it takes for this to happen is about 60 days.

The lifespan of the imago is 20-30 weeks. One female can produce from four to nine ootheca during her life.

The red cockroach is omnivorous, feeding on both the remains of human food and, in its absence, paper, fabrics, shoe leather or book bindings, soap, etc.

Cockroaches, having contact with both waste, dirt and debris accumulated in crevices, and with fresh human food, can cause the spread of various diseases, especially gastroenteritis, diarrhea, dysentery, etc. A large number of decaying chitinous covers left by cockroaches during molting, in some cases it leads to allergic reactions in people.

very secretive, they are almost impossible to see. During the day they never come out of their hiding places. Their favorite habitats are heating pipes in the basements of houses and bathrooms. Color ranges from black to dark brown. In females, the body length reaches 30, in males - 25 mm. The male differs from the female in the presence of a pair of styli on the genital plate; the elytra are strongly compacted. The female's wings are underdeveloped; only two small plates remain of them. The female lays eggs in the ootheca, which appears at the tip of the abdomen as it grows. Such ventilation is necessary for the normal development of embryos. Depending on temperature and humidity, incubation of eggs can take anywhere from a few days to a year. Juveniles develop very slowly.

- inhabitant of the tropics. In the 17th century, it was brought from Cuba with cargo of sugar cane to port cities and spread throughout the world. In our country, this species is often found in basements. If an American periplanet gets into an apartment where a European cockroach and a black cockroach live, then it completely displaces these species, simply exterminating them. In nature, the periplanet lives in the upper layers of the soil, in herbaceous vegetation, and under the bark of trees. She is nocturnal, hiding in shelters during the day. Males of this species fly, run fast, and jump, migrating in search of food. The body length of the female is 40, the male is 30 mm.

The American periplanet lives 9-10 months, with males having a longer life expectancy. The color at all stages of development is red-brown. The ootheca consists of hardened gland secretions. The female wears it at the end of her abdomen from 25 hours to several weeks, depending on the temperature. Then she places the ootheca in a secluded place. The larvae will go through 9 to 13 molts before reaching adulthood.

Cockroaches are excellent food for large species fish that feed from the surface of the water, for example, Arowana. Due to the high content of chitin, the cockroach as food is an excellent ballast food that helps cleanse the digestive system of fish. And in composition, nutritional value and balance of elements, it is superior to the fly larva (maggot).

Body Composition:

• protein (68-70%);
• fat (7-12%);
• ash (about 8.6%);
• BEV – protein-free extracted substances (about 17.3%);
• chitin (promotes digestive processes and cell regeneration);

Calorie content: 5600 kilocalories per kilogram of dry matter.

. Distributed in Ecuador, but can be found in countries where bananas are imported from Ecuador. This species is terrestrial, living on the forest floor. Forest cockroaches active during the daytime. The body length of the female is 22-25, the male is 18-22 mm... Both of them have well-developed wings and fly superbly. They are viviparous; wingless larvae prefer soil (peat) cover with a layer of 50 mm. They grow quickly. Males appear first, then females. Omnivorous.

. The homeland of this species is South America(Caribbean Islands). It lives in the upper layers of the soil. The dimensions of the female are 30 mm, the male is 25 mm. The color is gray, with light brown streaks; the larvae are usually dark brown. Light spots on the outer wings form a beautiful marble pattern. There are dark brown stripes on both sides along the edges of the cervical shield. Females are somewhat larger and wider than males. The latter are easy to distinguish by characteristic behavior- raising the elytra and wings when courting females. Marble cockroaches absolutely omnivorous. This is due to the fact that a number of symbiont bacteria live in their intestines. They reproduce quite quickly. Ovoviviparous. The female wears a leathery ootheca until the larvae hatch, periodically protruding it from the ovipositor valve for ventilation. Development time in the egg is 2-4 weeks. One female is able to produce up to 10-20 small wingless white larvae (the larvae are wingless until the last stage of development). Then they become dark brown, the development of the larvae takes place in 4 months.

Madagascar cockroach (gromphadorhina portentosa) . Synonym:Madagascar hissing cockroach. It lives on the forest floor and on tree trunks in the tropical forests of Madagascar. This species is active at dusk. These are quite large insects, reaching a length of 90 mm and weighing up to 60 g. The Madagascar cockroach is very decorative. Tergite black, rings and pronotum brown. Females are larger than males. They don't have wings. They feed on rotting fruits, other decaying plant parts and fungi. Ovoviviparous form. Females carry eggs in a soft, colorless, leathery ootheca until the larval nymphs hatch. The development of the larva lasts about six months. The brood size is small - from 20 to 30 larvae, which after 4-6 months become adult insects. Life expectancy is 2-3 years. Can make hissing sounds when in danger. Males differ from females by two “horns” on the pronotum.

— Drugs "Karbafos", "Dichlorvos". The advantages are that those insects that are in the affected area, i.e. not in their crevices, then within a few hours they will die out. There are a lot of disadvantages more: if you inhale these chemicals, they will weaken your immune system, this is especially harmful if there are small children in the room. In this case, those cockroaches that sit in their burrows will remain alive, and after these preparations have evaporated, they can easily refurbish your home again. There is a danger of pet poisoning. In fact, with this type of struggle you do not eliminate the main block of your “roommates”.

— Dry chemicals. Dangerous if it gets into the mouth or onto open wounds (scratches). Most often this happens to children and pets. The latter often die. It is known, for example, that cats wash themselves with their tongues, and everything that is on their fur and paws ends up in their mouths. If the weight of the animal is small (cats, small dogs and other smaller pets), the likelihood of its death after a “raid” of fighting cockroaches is very high. Conclusion - if you use it, then only in “Spartan” conditions; in other cases, it is better to refrain from using these means of fighting cockroaches.

— Traps for cockroaches, for example "Raid". The product is effective because Pets have no access to the poison, there is no harmful smell or fumes from it, it lasts for a long time. But the main advantage is that a cockroach, having been in a trap, becomes infected, and then upon contact with its relatives, it infects them, i.e., when the carrier reaches its hole, all the cockroach living creatures in it will die out.

— Place nets on all air vents from the apartment, because... through them, cockroaches often come to us “for tea” from neighbors, especially when they are poisoned there.

— Take a raw egg yolk, pour boric acid powder into it (you will need 30-50 grams), stir until it becomes a thick, thick paste. Make balls with a diameter of about 1 cm from this mixture and place them throughout the apartment in places visible to cockroaches. Pay special attention to the kitchen, toilet and bathroom (you can limit yourself to them). If you have flowers on your windowsills, put balloons on the windowsills as well. To avoid stepping on the balls, during the day you can remove them from the places where you walk, but at night (the most active time for cockroaches), be sure to put them back again.

The cockroach will not smell boric acid disguised as an attractive ball, but it will definitely come up to examine this ball, and as soon as it touches it with its antennae, it is doomed. If not to death, then to hellish itching. Cockroaches do not transmit an alarm and danger signal to their relatives, so more and more healthy cockroaches will approach the balls and leave mortally ill, while infecting everyone else with whom they come into contact. The time it takes to remove cockroaches from this method of control is 3-4 weeks. Perhaps faster. It all depends on their quantity. If after some time the cockroaches appeared again, then perhaps the offspring hatched, which the female cockroaches managed to leave in the eggs. Repeat the method and the cockroaches will disappear forever. The method has been tested in communal apartments and works great.

- 1 g of boric acid is lightly moistened with water and bread crumbs are added. The method is similar to the one described above with egg yolk.

- Mix equal amounts of boric acid and grated potatoes.

- Mix 1 teaspoon of boric acid and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of semolina porridge or mashed potatoes and place in saucers.

— Bait made from a mixture of equal quantities of dry alabaster and flour. This mixture is sprinkled on the habitats of cockroaches. Once in the insect's body, alabaster hardens, turning into plaster - and the cockroach dies.

— You can wash the floor with the addition of ammonia, the smell of which cockroaches cannot stand.

— Cockroaches love beer, which you can use insidiously: pour a little beer into the bottom of the can, and smear its inner edges with Vaseline. If you put this bait overnight, then in the morning the jar will already be full of cockroaches. The disadvantage of such a trap is that only those cockroaches that go outside will die, and the females will constantly lay eggs and revive the population.

— Cockroaches can be frozen. I mean, chill out. This is how peasants in villages have gotten rid of them from time immemorial. They didn’t turn on the stove in the cold weather and went to stay with neighbors for a day or two. At a temperature of 5 degrees the cockroach goes into suspended animation, at -50°C it dies in 30 minutes, and at -70°C in a minute.

— If there are few cockroaches or there is a danger that they will come to you from your neighbors, it is better to use natural substances containing repellents that repel cockroaches. This is exactly how green bay leaves and fresh cucumber peelings act on cockroaches.

— Little advice fighting cockroaches (not for the squeamish). If you like to kill cockroaches with a slipper, consider the following. Cockroaches are extremely resistant to physical damage. If you want a cockroach to die as a result of your actions, you need to not only squash it, but also smear it thoroughly. Otherwise, he will come to his senses, get to the water - and now he is alive and well again, and is even able to reproduce. But it’s even better to nail him not completely, but a little bit - just enough so that he doesn’t run far while you take out the duty packet of boric acid. Sprinkle the cockroach with lethal powder and release it in peace. He will not only die himself, but will also take with him the lives of several of his brothers.

Cockroaches can fake their own death. A specific gene helps them in this, which scientists symbolically call knockdown - having smelled the smell of poison, the cockroach loses consciousness, falls belly up and stops breathing. Satisfied with the result, the owner throws it into the garbage chute, and the cockroach rests and returns back after some time. Therefore, cockroaches should not be thrown into a trash can or garbage chute, only washed down the drain.

— Boric acid can be poured into the air vent pipes, and the air vents themselves can be covered with a grate or fine mesh. Boric acid will prevent both cockroaches and domestic ones from entering your home. ants. And boric acid won’t even allow them near your home, because... When these insects come into contact with it, they die.

— your kitchen should always be clean. Walls without greasy deposits. There should be no crumbs on the tables. The trash can must be taken out on time, and not using all sorts of signs, such as “You can’t take out the trash at night.”

- keep the home clean, i.e. clean not once a week, on Saturdays, but at the first crumbs on the floor, etc.

- keep seasonings in closed jars, and not in half-closed bags in kitchen cabinets and bedside tables;

- dishes should always be washed well and should not sit in the sink for a couple of days;

— taps should not leak anywhere;

- sinks should always be well washed;

— never leave open pots and bags of food.

— Cockroaches are able not to breathe for up to 40 minutes, so as not to evaporate the water in the body if there is no way to replenish it.

— There is such entertainment as cockroach racing.

— Many species of cockroaches can fly, which is easy to see when you meet small wild cockroaches in the forest zone of Russia (for example, the Lapland cockroach or the synanthropic American cockroach).

— It has been experimentally confirmed that cockroaches can live without a head for several weeks.

— Since the 18th century, cockroaches have had a bad habit of hiding under the collars and in the belongings of tavern regulars. So the soldiers who fought against Frederick’s armies brought cockroaches (Prussians) to Russian lands. One way or another, before this there were no cockroaches either in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

— Cockroaches have infrared vision.

— Sailors used cockroaches as helpers. They tied a string to a cockroach and let it into a pipe or between partitions - where it was necessary to drag a cable or cable. The cockroach dragged out the thread, then it was released and, as gratitude for the help, it was crushed with a heel. Then a string was tied to the thread, and a cable was tied to the string. AND required cable lay down in the right place.

Cockroaches in history

The remains of cockroaches are, along with the remains of cockroaches, the most numerous traces of insects in Paleozoic deposits. Additionally, cockroaches are the earliest known Polyneoptera, possibly descending from the ancestor of the entire subcohort. A hypothesis was also expressed about the origin of cockroaches, and with them other modern Pandictyoptera, from proto-cockroaches, but it did not receive strong confirmation.

Paleozoic and most Mesozoic species had a long ovipositor, although they already had a clear tendency towards its reduction. The first fossils of more or less “modern” cockroaches with a short external ovipositor appear in the Early Cretaceous, and in Cenozoic ones it disappears completely.

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