What Species Do Cockroaches Belong To?

Cockroaches belong to the family Blattodea, sometimes considered a suborder of the order Dictyoptera. Their name derives from the Latin word blatta, which means “to shun light.” They are cursorial insects with hard, sclerotized body parts and a thorax that contains more than 30 segments.

Cockroaches live in two types of habitats: terrestrial and aquatic. They spend most of the day in the terrestrial world and submerge at night in order to feed or avoid predators. There are 34 species of aquatic cockroaches. In addition to feeding on plants, they also eat fecal matter and cellulose.

Cockroaches can be found worldwide. Some species live indoors, but most are found outdoors. These creatures usually scavenge on dead animals and plant materials. In North America, there are four species that commonly live in buildings. Insects of this family are nocturnal, but some may be attracted to light during the day. They can also live in leaf litter.

Cockroaches vary greatly in their size and appearance. Most have shield-like pronotums on their backs, a wingless body, and long antennae. Most species of cockroaches grow to maturity in three to four months. Others may continue to be in their nymphal stage for years. The length of this stage depends on seasonal differences and the amount of nutrients they gain from their diet.