Biology of the Cockroach
Cockroaches have been on Earth for over 300 million years. The American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is one of the most common species and was introduced to the United States from Africa in 1625. The species is found indoors and outdoors, in dark and damp areas. A waxy coating on their cuticle helps with water retention for survival in varying temperature which make them very adaptable to climates. However, cockroaches die at temperature below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Cockroaches eat just about anything and adults live for about a year. Adults can survive two to three months without food and about a month without water. The American Cockroach is the largest of common cockroaches and is reddish-brown and about 4 cm in length. Both adult males and females have full wings but males have longer wings which extend past the abdomen. Adult females produce pheromones to attract a mate. Females lay dark brown ootheca, egg capsules, which contain about fifteen eggs and will lay on average one per week. The ootheca are secured to a discreet surface near a food source using oral secretions. Cockroaches are hemimetabolous and do not practice parental care of nymphs. Young nymphs are greyish-brown and wingless. Later nymphs are reddish-brown like adults and the final nymph stage has wing pads. Each nymph stage lasts about six months to three years and cockroaches molt six to fourteen times.
Cockroaches have been on Earth for over 300 million years. The American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is one of the most common species and was introduced to the United States from Africa in 1625. The species is found indoors and outdoors, in dark and damp areas. A waxy coating on their cuticle helps with water retention for survival in varying temperature which make them very adaptable to climates. However, cockroaches die at temperature below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Cockroaches eat just about anything and adults live for about a year. Adults can survive two to three months without food and about a month without water. The American Cockroach is the largest of common cockroaches and is reddish-brown and about 4 cm in length. Both adult males and females have full wings but males have longer wings which extend past the abdomen. Adult females produce pheromones to attract a mate. Females lay dark brown ootheca, egg capsules, which contain about fifteen eggs and will lay on average one per week. The ootheca are secured to a discreet surface near a food source using oral secretions. Cockroaches are hemimetabolous and do not practice parental care of nymphs. Young nymphs are greyish-brown and wingless. Later nymphs are reddish-brown like adults and the final nymph stage has wing pads. Each nymph stage lasts about six months to three years and cockroaches molt six to fourteen times.
Connection with Human Society
Cockroaches by name and sight invoke feelings of hatred and disgust. There are legitimate reasons behind why this small creatures have gained such a terrible reputation. Cockroaches are considered a pest and have a significant impact on human health. They are a public health problem for multiple reason. Cockroaches move from sewers to areas of food preparation and contaminate food by the transmission of filth, disease, and their own excrement. These insects also produce odorous secretions that cause infested areas to smell foul. Gastroenteritis is the principle disease transmitted by cockroaches. Cockroaches are also the fourth most common allergen and can cause asthma attacks. For pest control, there are several parasitic wasps that target cockroach egg capsules. |
A group of people in Wisconsin race Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
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