How Much Do Cockroaches Fly?

You might have wondered how much cockroaches fly. Their six legs enable them to cover a distance of 50 body lengths in a second. This is almost double the speed of a human runner. However, they are not really flying to go far. Instead, they prefer to crawl.

Some cockroach species are capable of flying, but most species only fly a few feet. The Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach is one of the few species of cockroaches that fly a long way. These cockroaches use their wings for evasive purposes, such as escaping predators.

Although flying cockroaches are rare, they do take to the air during the warmest months of the year. During these hot months, they seek cool environments and fly to avoid these conditions. Their wings help them balance on uneven surfaces and readjust their centers of gravity. This allows them to go places that crawling roaches cannot reach.

Among cockroaches, the Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach is the most proficient flyer. However, this does not mean that all cockroaches are good flyers. Most species of cockroaches do not use wings as adults. The few that do use their wings for short flights only fly in hot or cold conditions.

The American Cockroach does not fly very often. They scurry on their legs, but their wings allow them to cover short distances in the air. The wings are also used for protection against danger. The American Cockroach also uses its wings to get on nearby surfaces.