Cockroaches: description of the species, biology, control methods

General description and origin

Cockroaches are insects belonging to the phylum Arthropods , order Cockroaches . They love damp and warm places. Domestic cockroaches are most active at night and hide in secluded places during the day. Their diet includes the remains of plants and animals.

REFERENCE ! These parasites are extremely hardy . It is known that some species can go without food for up to several weeks. These insects are very resistant to radiation . The dose of radiation that can cause them any harm must be almost 15 times higher than the “human” dose.

Parasites multiply very quickly. In order to lay eggs, the female mates with the male, although some species give birth to live young , which look almost no different from adults. The eggs are protected by a membrane called the ooteca. The lifespan of these insects is from 7 months to 2 years .

Next, we will answer the following questions: how many legs does a cockroach have, do cockroaches have eyes and a brain?

Features of the structure of cockroaches

Cockroaches of different species have a similar structure, but differ in color and size . Here are the main signs of these insects:

the body length can reach 10 centimeters, but species living in Russia rarely exceed 3 cm;
the body is oval-shaped , very flat;
head shaped like a triangle, covered with a hard shell;
parasites have a brain , but the body is able to function without it (when decapitated, the body continues to move and breathe);
the oral apparatus is gnawing, cockroaches have strong and strong jaws with teeth consisting of chitin (many species bite);
all types of parasites have eyes and long antennae ;
Insects have six paws , they are covered with small spines;
some species can fly thanks to strong and dense wings, under which there are elytra.

When an ordinary person hears the word “cockroach,” a picture of “nasty bugs running around the kitchen” is formed in his subconscious, but many do not even imagine how unique this insect is. They have learned to adapt so much that people say that they can survive a nuclear explosion (of course, this is not true). Another feature is that they can live without a head for several days, or even weeks. Cockroaches belong to the order of insects of the order Cockroaches and are considered one of the most ancient groups of insects. There are more than 4,600 species in the world, of which only 6 are domestic.

Structure:

The body of the cockroach is flattened, oval, the length of which ranges from 4 mm to 9.6 cm. Its head is covered with a shield-shaped pronotum; the shape of the head can be either heart-shaped, triangular or flat. These insects do not have teeth, but have strong jaws with chitinous teeth. The organs of vision are the eyes, but not everyone has them; there are species that do not have them at all. Cockroaches have wings - the webbed type, but they can only be seen when the insect is excited or scared. At rest, the wings are located under the elytra. Some species have shortened or no wings at all. Many run fast, have five-legged legs, and simplified hips. The abdomen of the cockroach consists of 8-10 tregites and sternites, with long cerci located at the end.

Color:

Cockroaches come in a variety of colors from white to black. Many are named for their color, for example: black cockroach, red cockroach (Prusak). Color depends on the location and living conditions.

Reproduction:

They reproduce parthogenically and sexually. Before mating, the male tries to attract the attention of the female, then courtship begins. There are species that are viviparous and lay eggs in special capsules called oothecae. The female hides the ootheca in a secluded place or carries it with her. There are species that simply lay eggs in the ground or between stones. In viviparous cockroaches, the ootheca is located inside the female until the larvae appear. Pregnancy lasts on average from 2 to 4 months. Newborn nymph larvae have a soft chitinous shell, so there is a chance that they will be eaten by larger individuals, unless of course the female finds a safe place for her offspring. To many cockroaches of power, you have difficult parental behavior. Their average lifespan ranges from one to 7 years.

Nutrition:

Cockroaches are omnivores and can even eat spoiled food. When a cockroach is hungry, it can even eat paper, skin, etc. Some species feed exclusively on rotten wood, which is digested by symbiotic protozoan insects that live in the cockroach’s intestines. In captivity, cockroaches are fed vegetables, fruits (grated), fish food, and dandelion leaves. In order for a cockroach to grow well and to increase fertility, it needs additional feeding: gammarus and cat food.

Behavior:

Cockroaches love warmth and moisture. Given food and the following two requirements, they are able to reproduce all year round. They are well oriented in space. During the day, cockroaches hide in crevices, under leaves, and tree bark. Near their place of residence and on the way to it, cockroaches are marked with special trace pheromones. Many cockroaches live in groups and are influenced by group behavior.

Decoration of the terrarium (insectarium):

People keep cockroaches as food for their pets or as pets. The size of the insectarium depends on the number of insects in it. For a small colony, an insectarium measuring 50x30x30 cm is suitable. Most cockroaches like to burrow into the ground, because of this it is preferable to sprinkle a layer of loose substrate 5 cm thick. We recommend using sawdust, coconut soil and clean top peat as a substrate. Cockroaches also need shelter; snags, tree bark, fallen leaves, and clay pots are good options. If you breed food cockroaches, then you can put cardboard trays with eggs for them.

Conditions of containment:

For the growth, reproduction and successful molting of cockroaches, it is necessary to monitor humidity and temperature. Most species require moisture from 50 - 70%, and a temperature from +25 - +28 C. Some species tolerate short-term temperature changes from +18 to +32 C. To maintain optimal humidity, you need to constantly moisten the soil. It is very important to provide good ventilation to prevent ticks from infesting. You also need to remember about cleaning, which needs to be done 3-4 times a year.

Interesting Facts

1. The largest ram that was listed in the Guinness Book of Records is a female of the species Kwgaloblatta longipennis that lives in Colombia and has a length of 9.7 cm. and 4.5 cm. in width.

2. In 1991 the speed record was set by the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) equal to 5.4 km/h, i.e. in 1 sec. running a distance that was 50 times the length of his body. For a person, this would correspond to a speed of 330 km/h.

3. The species of giant cockroach Archimandrita tesselata can eat the flesh of a person if it is held on the hand for a long time.

4. Cockroaches can survive for several months without food and several weeks without water.

5. They may eat smaller cockroaches to replenish body moisture.

6. Cockroaches can stop breathing for up to 45 minutes.

7. After one mating, a female cockroach is capable of raising a brood several times.

8. Cockroaches are capable of 1 sec. change the trajectory of movement 25 times.

9. Cockroaches can live more than 10 days without a head and die of starvation.

10. They release gases every 15 minutes. and even after death they continue to do this for 20 hours.

11. If a cockroach falls on its back out of the blue, it will no longer be able to roll over on its paws; in nature, it is possible to catch on leaves or stones.

12. Cockroaches can survive radiation of 6400 rads, humans only 500 rads.

13. MadagascarHissingCockroachThis type of cockroach hisses loudly while moving to intimidate enemies.

Photo

What a cockroach looks like, photo below:

What does a small cockroach look like:

Species found in Russia

Scientists know more than 4.6 thousand species of cockroaches, but most of them live in warm countries. There are about 55 species of these insects in Russia , but only a few of them are the most popular.

Red cockroach (Blattella germanica)

People often call such parasites Prussians. They very often settle in residential areas and create huge colonies . Red cockroaches live in cabinets, drawers, furniture and even in the refrigerator. They feed on foods of any freshness and adapt to any conditions.

This is what attracts them to apartments and houses where people live:

easily accessible food (on the table, floor, stove, in the trash can, etc.);
plants that parasites can feed on in the absence of food;
water is freely available (leaking pipes, remaining water in the sink, etc.).

Black beetle

People encounter not only Prussians, but also black cockroaches, which often live in human homes. Their colonies come from sewers, garbage cans and basements. It is known that parasites of this species rarely rise high, so they can only be found on the lower floors of residential buildings .

Here are the features of these insects:

some individuals reach a length of 3 centimeters ;
the color can be not only black , but also dark brown and even red;
they eat all types of foods, and if there is a shortage of them, they eat leftovers;
reproduce noticeably faster than red cockroaches;
They leave a specific and very unpleasant odor in their habitat.

IMPORTANT ! These parasites live near a food source : under the refrigerator, behind the stove, near the trash can, etc. It is believed that the presence of black cockroaches indicates a very poor sanitary situation.

This opinion was formed due to the fact that these insects carry dangerous diseases (cholera, E. coli, etc.). They move through sewers and street garbage cans, and then crawl into human housing, bringing with them a huge amount of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

In warm countries, black cockroaches do not live indoors . They settle only on the street, crawling under large stones or into cracks in buildings. Parasites enter residential buildings only in Russia. This is most likely due to the cold winter climate. Representatives of this species must be disposed of.

Harm from cockroaches

Cockroaches spoil and contaminate food. We should not forget that cockroaches are potential carriers of typhoid bacilli, tuberculosis bacilli, other pathogenic bacteria and worm eggs. In addition, their unpleasant odorous secretions from special glands cause allergic diseases in some people, such as runny nose, eczema and hives.

All over the world, people are fighting cockroaches. They are exterminated by cold, doused with boiling water, and poisoned with household insecticides, the range of which is expanding every day. In a chemical war against cockroaches, people use all kinds of poisonous emulsions, suspensions, powders and even insecticides.

New agents usually act effectively on cockroaches at first, but later they become “accustomed” to them. In fact, it is not the same insect that becomes accustomed to the poison, but its descendants, through selection for resistance, acquire insensitivity to the insecticide.

Albinos

Most people are of the opinion that the albino cockroach is a separate species, but this is wrong. Insects acquire this color after molting . They are rarely seen because during this period the parasites hide in dark places until their color becomes normal.

Some individuals may acquire a white color due to exposure to chemical reagents. Many people believe that these insects become light-colored because they live in pitch darkness, but this opinion is incorrect. Scientists have proven that there is no separate albino species .

American look

This species is native to Africa . It came to America and other countries with goods that were transported by sea.

They quickly adapted to new living conditions and settled in human habitations.

Representatives of this species are very mobile and can even bite.

They reproduce quickly and feed on any food, but cannot tolerate low temperatures .

Useful materials

Read other articles about cockroaches:

Interesting facts: what nicknames did people come up with for these insects; some myths about where the mustachios disappeared and what it could mean?
Can cockroaches cause physical harm to humans, such as getting into the ear and nose?
A detailed article about how to get rid of them, the most effective methods of control and prevention.
There are now many treatments on the market against these parasites. Therefore, we wrote an article about how to choose a drug that is right for you, described the best products available today, and compiled a rating of insect repellent drug manufacturers.
And of course, we couldn’t ignore all sorts of folk methods, in particular the most popular is boric acid.
Well, if you yourself cannot cope with uninvited guests, then we recommend turning to professionals. They have modern fighting technologies and will save you from misfortune once and for all.

Below is a list of drugs that have proven themselves:

Powders and dusts: FAS, Clean House.
Crayons and pencils: Mashenka.
Traps: Foresight, Combat.
Very effective gels: Dohlox, Global.
Aerosols: Raid, Raptor.
Strong sprays: Executioner, Regent, Get, Cucaracha, Karbofos.
Find out if electronic repellers help?

In Russia, not only the above-mentioned species are found, but the number of other species is small. Cockroaches at home are very unpleasant neighbors, so it is necessary to get rid of them in every possible way.

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 people and make them want to get rid of cockroaches in the apartment 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.