
Cockroach: Species, Biology and Relationship with Humans
The cockroach is an insect group belonging to the order Blattodea, with more than 4500 species worldwide. Most of the species seen indoors have adapted to human settlements and prefer warm, damp and hidden areas. The flat body, long antennae and nighttime activity also match the everyday image of a “bug”. That’s why the word cockroach doesn’t bring a single species to mind; the small German species seen in the kitchen and the larger Oriental species found in the basement belong to the same group, but their behavior and appearance differ. Knowing the species difference reduces misidentification and makes correct interpretation easier. This article is a general guide; for the detail people ask about most often in daily life, see our article Why Do Cockroaches Come Into the House? Food, Moisture, Warmth. ...
