10 Fascinating Points 10 Fascinating Points AboutCockroaches AboutCockroaches

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R.C.DohareR.C.DohareB.E.(Mech),PGDCSc,M.E.(E.S.E.)B.E.(Mech),PGDCSc,M.E.(E.S.E.)

A.A. DohareDohareM.A.(A.H.), PGDCA.M.A.(A.H.), PGDCA.

First, let’s review some basic Cockroach facts: First, let’s review some basic Cockroach facts: They are all members of the order Blattaria and They are all members of the order Blattaria and consist of five families. Entomologists, those consist of five families. Entomologists, those who study these things, report that there are who study these things, report that there are about 4,000 species of cockroaches. According about 4,000 species of cockroaches. According to the World Health Organization, ten are to the World Health Organization, ten are considered pest species. For insects, considered pest species. For insects, cockroaches can be rather large and hefty cockroaches can be rather large and hefty creatures. While most are small, the Australian creatures. While most are small, the Australian Giant Burrowing Cockroach or Rhino Roach Giant Burrowing Cockroach or Rhino Roach can exceed 80mm (3+ inches) and weigh 35 can exceed 80mm (3+ inches) and weigh 35 grams, and have beengrams, and have been

reported as large as 50 g. Like many other reported as large as 50 g. Like many other insects, the female needs to mate but once insects, the female needs to mate but once and will use the sperm for a lifetime of and will use the sperm for a lifetime of fertilized eggs. Here are a few more fertilized eggs. Here are a few more common facts: they can live for a month or common facts: they can live for a month or more without food, yet only about 1 week more without food, yet only about 1 week without water. Though they are nocturnal, without water. Though they are nocturnal, they are not afraid of the light – they run they are not afraid of the light – they run from light because they are afraid of us. from light because they are afraid of us. Cockroaches can live just about Cockroaches can live just about everywhere, and in just about all conditions.everywhere, and in just about all conditions.

1 Flying Cockroaches 1 Flying Cockroaches Somehow, I suspect that Somehow, I suspect that

the only thing worse than the only thing worse than roaches on the floor (or roaches on the floor (or bed) are roaches flying bed) are roaches flying around the room! While not around the room! While not all Blattaria can fly, as all Blattaria can fly, as evidenced in picture, the evidenced in picture, the ‘Megaloblatta longipennis’ ‘Megaloblatta longipennis’ spreads her wings at an spreads her wings at an impressive 185 Millimeters. impressive 185 Millimeters. This cutie lives in Central This cutie lives in Central and South America and South America

2 Global Warming Cockroaches2 Global Warming Cockroaches Studies have shown that Studies have shown that

cockroaches break wind on the cockroaches break wind on the average of every 15 minutes. Even average of every 15 minutes. Even after death they will continue to after death they will continue to release methane for up to 18 hours. release methane for up to 18 hours. In a global scale, insect flatulence In a global scale, insect flatulence is estimated to account for 20% of is estimated to account for 20% of all methane emissions. This puts all methane emissions. This puts the cockroach as one of the biggest the cockroach as one of the biggest contributors to Global Warming. contributors to Global Warming. The research indicates that the The research indicates that the other major contributors due to other major contributors due to gastronomical acoustics are gastronomical acoustics are termites and cows.termites and cows.

3.Dead On Its Back 3.Dead On Its Back A wild cockroach dies, for the most A wild cockroach dies, for the most

part, in the stomach of the bird or other part, in the stomach of the bird or other small animal that relies on it for food. In small animal that relies on it for food. In our homes, however, many may die our homes, however, many may die from simply being unable to right itself from simply being unable to right itself after falling. In the wild, where there are after falling. In the wild, where there are leaves and wooded debris, the leaves and wooded debris, the cockroach has something to grab on to, cockroach has something to grab on to, whereas in our homes, with our smooth whereas in our homes, with our smooth floors, the poor creature may find itself floors, the poor creature may find itself stranded. In addition, some insecticides stranded. In addition, some insecticides work by causing muscular spasms and work by causing muscular spasms and a general lack of muscular coordination, a general lack of muscular coordination, which may result in the victim flipping which may result in the victim flipping on its back. Without the ability to control on its back. Without the ability to control its muscles the cockroach dies upside its muscles the cockroach dies upside down.down.

4.International Cockroaches4.International Cockroaches The name ‘cockroach’ is believed to The name ‘cockroach’ is believed to

come from the Spanish cucaracha, come from the Spanish cucaracha, with a first noted use in English of with a first noted use in English of cacarootch in 1624. As befitting an cacarootch in 1624. As befitting an international insect, its name spans international insect, its name spans the continents. A sampling of the continents. A sampling of translations:translations:

A) Bulgarian: хлебарка fA) Bulgarian: хлебарка fB) Chinese: (zhang1 lang2)B) Chinese: (zhang1 lang2)C) Dutch: kakkerlak mC) Dutch: kakkerlak mD) Hebrew: D) Hebrew: צוקצוק m (jook)m (jook)E) Japanese: (gokiburi)E) Japanese: (gokiburi)F) Mongolian: жоом (joom)F) Mongolian: жоом (joom)G) Russian: таракан m (tarakan)G) Russian: таракан m (tarakan)H) Swedish: kackerlackaH) Swedish: kackerlackaI) Turkish: hamam böceğiI) Turkish: hamam böceğiJ) Urdu: J) Urdu: جهنگرجهنگر

5.Vocal Cords 5.Vocal Cords The famous Madagascar Hissing The famous Madagascar Hissing

Cockroach is believed to be the Cockroach is believed to be the only insect that uses its air only insect that uses its air passageways to make a sound. passageways to make a sound. Most other insects produce their Most other insects produce their sound by rubbing various body sound by rubbing various body parts together (note: some beetles parts together (note: some beetles force air though their protective force air though their protective plates, but this does not involve a plates, but this does not involve a breathing air passageway). Hissers breathing air passageway). Hissers make two distinct sounds, one make two distinct sounds, one when they are bothered and when they are bothered and another when the males are facing another when the males are facing off. Because they are large off. Because they are large (approaching 5-8 CM) and (approaching 5-8 CM) and wingless, they are often used in wingless, they are often used in movies. These make popular pets. movies. These make popular pets.

6.Headless 6.Headless It true, cockroaches do not need a head to It true, cockroaches do not need a head to

survive. By comparison, and from a purely survive. By comparison, and from a purely biological point of view, we humans use our biological point of view, we humans use our heads for three functions: (a) we breathe heads for three functions: (a) we breathe through our nose and mouth, and that through our nose and mouth, and that breathing is controlled by our brain (though breathing is controlled by our brain (though we could use a respirator). (b) The loss of our we could use a respirator). (b) The loss of our head would cause extreme blood loss which, head would cause extreme blood loss which, in turn, would cause insufficient blood in turn, would cause insufficient blood pressure - required to transport oxygen and pressure - required to transport oxygen and nutrients to our bodies. And (c) we eat with nutrients to our bodies. And (c) we eat with our mouths, and would starve rather quickly. our mouths, and would starve rather quickly. Contrast this with the cockroach: (a) it breaths Contrast this with the cockroach: (a) it breaths through spiracles all over its body. The brain through spiracles all over its body. The brain does not control this function. (b) Insects do does not control this function. (b) Insects do not have mammalian blood pressure, and not have mammalian blood pressure, and would not ‘bleed out’. And (c) as a cold would not ‘bleed out’. And (c) as a cold blooded animal a single meal can, if the blooded animal a single meal can, if the temperature is cool enough, last a whole temperature is cool enough, last a whole month. Other than the danger of infection, a month. Other than the danger of infection, a headless cockroach can, in fact, survive for headless cockroach can, in fact, survive for quite some time. quite some time.

7.Cockroach Induced Asthma7.Cockroach Induced Asthma Cockroach allergy was first reported and Cockroach allergy was first reported and

confirmed about 50 years ago. It is real and confirmed about 50 years ago. It is real and can be very dangerous. Cockroach allergens can be very dangerous. Cockroach allergens are the excrement and debris from are the excrement and debris from decomposing cockroach bodies that become decomposing cockroach bodies that become airborne and breathed into the bronchial tubes. airborne and breathed into the bronchial tubes. Sensitivity to this dust triggers the bronchial Sensitivity to this dust triggers the bronchial allergic reaction known as asthma. Scientists allergic reaction known as asthma. Scientists believe that recent increases in the number of believe that recent increases in the number of cases are due to many urban children cases are due to many urban children remaining indoors for play and thus being in remaining indoors for play and thus being in constant contact with allergens. Some constant contact with allergens. Some research has indicated that each urban home research has indicated that each urban home has as from 900 to 330,000 insects. Studies has as from 900 to 330,000 insects. Studies have also revealed that the prevalence of have also revealed that the prevalence of asthma in the African-American community asthma in the African-American community has more to do with domicile and not genetics. has more to do with domicile and not genetics. Unlike seasonal allergies, Cockroach induced Unlike seasonal allergies, Cockroach induced asthma persists throughout the year. It can asthma persists throughout the year. It can only be diagnosed using skin or scratch only be diagnosed using skin or scratch testing.testing.

8.Do The Math8.Do The Math The common German Cockroach The common German Cockroach

(Blatella germanica) is a cousin of the (Blatella germanica) is a cousin of the large flyer in Item #1. It is probably the large flyer in Item #1. It is probably the most abundant pest cockroach. The life most abundant pest cockroach. The life cycle is about 100 days and they live cycle is about 100 days and they live about 6 months. In the picture above, about 6 months. In the picture above, you can see the ootheca (protruding you can see the ootheca (protruding egg case), which contains about 30-40 egg case), which contains about 30-40 eggs. A female can produce 6 or 8 eggs. A female can produce 6 or 8 cases in her six months of life. That cases in her six months of life. That works out to 180 – 320 offspring. If only works out to 180 – 320 offspring. If only 10 of her children become breeding 10 of her children become breeding females (and that is a very low estimate females (and that is a very low estimate – the number is more like 100) there – the number is more like 100) there can be thousands of crawly things in can be thousands of crawly things in just a few months. just a few months.

9.They are fast 9.They are fast Research shows that the fastest Research shows that the fastest

recorded speed of an American recorded speed of an American Cockroach is approaching 2.0 Cockroach is approaching 2.0 miles per hour (75 Centimeters miles per hour (75 Centimeters per second). Of course, it is not per second). Of course, it is not going to out race a large going to out race a large animal, but as a relation to its animal, but as a relation to its body size it’s rather fast. In size body size it’s rather fast. In size relative terms, a roach about relative terms, a roach about the size of a cheetah would the size of a cheetah would move at about 50 MPH - only move at about 50 MPH - only slightly slower than that slightly slower than that majestic hunter. A part of their majestic hunter. A part of their speed is attributed to the speed is attributed to the excellent ‘communication’ from excellent ‘communication’ from eyes and antennae to their legs. eyes and antennae to their legs.

10.Cockroaches and Radiation10.Cockroaches and Radiation There is persistent talk that the cockroach There is persistent talk that the cockroach

would be the only survivor of a nuclear would be the only survivor of a nuclear bomb. While I have been unable to find any bomb. While I have been unable to find any clear scientific evidence of this being studied, clear scientific evidence of this being studied, there is some logical evidence as to why this there is some logical evidence as to why this may be true, though not exclusively for may be true, though not exclusively for cockroaches. Living cells are sensitive to cockroaches. Living cells are sensitive to killing radiation primarily while they are killing radiation primarily while they are dividing (hence the effectiveness of radiation dividing (hence the effectiveness of radiation on cancer cells). A cockroach’s cells divide on cancer cells). A cockroach’s cells divide only during their molting cycle, about once only during their molting cycle, about once per week. They are therefore ‘radiation per week. They are therefore ‘radiation sensitive’ for only about 48 hours, or about sensitive’ for only about 48 hours, or about 1/4 of the week. Humans, among most other 1/4 of the week. Humans, among most other animals, have blood and immune stem-cell animals, have blood and immune stem-cell that are constantly dividing. Given the killing that are constantly dividing. Given the killing radiation of a nuclear bomb, all humans radiation of a nuclear bomb, all humans would die, but only 1/4 of the cockroaches, would die, but only 1/4 of the cockroaches, leaving quite a nice size population. leaving quite a nice size population. Interestingly, Mythbusters did a test on this Interestingly, Mythbusters did a test on this very concept and cockroaches can survive very concept and cockroaches can survive ten times the quantity of radiation required to ten times the quantity of radiation required to kill humans – but the flour beetle beat us all kill humans – but the flour beetle beat us all by surviving 100 times the lethal human by surviving 100 times the lethal human dose. No cockroaches survived at that level.dose. No cockroaches survived at that level.

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