What Characteristics Are Not Found in Cockroaches?

A cockroach’s main characteristics include its triangular head, two pairs of wings, and three pairs of walking legs. The head capsule of the cockroach is similar to other roaches’ head capsules, though it lacks the lacinula, a small structure found at the base of the lacinial incisivi. Cockroaches’ head capsules show a number of unique adaptations, including a lack of dorsal tentorial arms and strong blunt setae.

One of the biggest problems with cockroaches is that they are known for spreading disease. They can also produce allergens, including a plethora of proteins. In fact, entomologists often develop allergic reactions to their research subjects. For example, William Bell became allergic to cockroaches and had to stop eating lobster because of the discomfort it caused him. Cockroaches are also suspected of causing coffee allergies in some people who seem to be allergic to coffee, but actually are allergic to the ground up parts of cockroaches.

Cockroaches do not fly, but they are capable of glide flights. American cockroaches are not true fliers, although the Canadian species do have the ability to fly. However, they can only stay in the air for short periods of time.

A female cockroach carries her eggs in an egg case. This egg case is located at the posterior end of the female and is about half an inch long. The egg case contains thirty to forty eggs. It is a brown purse-shaped capsule about eight mm long, three millimeters high, and two millimeters wide.