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Taxonomy
Blattaria
EOL Text
Order Blattodea is also known as Order Blattaria. The species are commonly known as cockroaches. They usually range from two millimeters to over sixty millimeters in length, but some cockroaches have been measured at about 100 millimeters. Most species have two pairs of wings, but wingless species are known. They are quick and use this trait as a tactic to scurry away from predators. Sexual dimorphism can be seen in some species. They live in caves, forest canopies, and under bark. Almost all of the species are nocturnal. Cockroaches undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Pheromones are used to attract potential mates. The females usually produce an egg case called oothecae. Cockroaches can live for five to over forty days without water and food. If water is available they can survive for about 60 to 90 days without food. Though they can survive without resources for days, they have many natural enemies. Spiders, frogs, toads, centipedes, wasps, lizards, birds, geckos, mantids, ants, beetles, and mice feed on cockroaches. They can be seen in the fossil record as far back as the Upper Carboniferous.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | Rhianna Hruska, Rhianna Hruska |
| Source | No source database. |
Cockroaches are mostly nocturnal insect, with biting mouthparts and legs that are adapted for swift running. The body is oval and dorsoventrally flattened, allowing the animals to hide in narrow spaces, for example under bark or in crevices of trees and rocks. The head is usually hidden beneath the pronotal shield, and there is a pair of short cerci at the end of the abdomen. In winged species, the forewings (tegmina) are leathery and protect the delicate hindwings.
Most cockroaches are scavengers, with fairly broad diets, but a few species in the family Cryptocercidae specialize on dead and decaying wood. Some cockroaches invade human dwellings and are significant household pests.
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| Rights holder/Author | Katja Schulz, Katja Schulz |
| Source | No source database. |
Cockroaches are the biggest household pest problem in most cities and towns. They spread bacteria that can make people sick.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); household pest
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
The great majority of roach species never bother people. They live outside, and are a harmless part of foodwebs.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
- eggs usually contained in ootheca
- leathery forewings.
- male genitalia asymmetrical
- cerci variable, with one or more segments
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | Tree of Life web project |
| Source | http://tolweb.org/Blattaria/8214 |
There are over 4,000 species of roaches spread all around the globe, and lots more still unknown to science. In Michigan there are only a couple of dozen species, and about half of them are invaders that came along with European settlers.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Native ); australian (Native )
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
Cockroaches are long, flat, brown insects. Their heads point downward and have chewing mouthparts. A plate from the top of the thorax covers the head when you look down on them, so you can't actually see the head. They are very fast runners. They have long antennae, and at the end of the abdomen are two short antennae-like structures that sense air current and vibrations.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: female larger
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
Most cockroach species live in dead leaves and soil on the ground in forests. A few well-known species have adjusted to living with people in houses and other buildings.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; desert or dune ; chaparral ; forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest ; mountains
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
Roaches are scavenging omnivores, they'll eat just about any organic matter they can find. They don't have a powerful bite, so they don't usually eat living animals.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |
In wild habitats, roaches help breakdown dead plants and animal waste.
Ecosystem Impact: biodegradation
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Blattaria/ |