A simple question is just the answer: do cockroaches fly?

Cockroaches are one of the oldest insects on earth. Over millions of years, their original appearance has changed little. Inhabitants of forest litter have mastered various natural biotopes, eventually reached human habitation. Synanthropic insects cause increased interest. One of the common questions is, do cockroaches fly? Many species have retained wings, but true flyers do not live in houses. They can only be found in tropical forests.

Types of Flying Cockroaches

Over 300 million years of existence among representatives of the cockroach squad, the oviposition has significantly decreased and the wings have partially changed. In most modern species, one pair of wings turned into strong elytra, and the second partially reduced. Mostly flying functions were preserved among representatives of the tropical fauna.

Green banana cockroach

In the tropical forests of the Caribbean, Cuba and Florida, species of the Panchlora nivea species are found. They are small in size 17-22 mm. Light green adults jump and fly perfectly, the larvae prefer to dig into the ground. In the evening, adults actively fly into the light, during the day fly up to blooming banana palms for nectar. Larvae feed on plant debris.

Megaloblatta longipennis

The inhabitants of South America (Ecuador, Peru) are the largest cockroaches with wings. Their body length is 76-95 mm, wingspan up to 200 mm. Insects are listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The second characteristic feature of the species is the high fecundity of the female. During her life, she lays about 50 cocoons with eggs, giving rise to a whole colony.

Giant Cave (Forest) Cockroach or Blaberus giganteus

Insects are found in the forests of Central and South America. Adults live in trees, and larvae are buried in the litter. Females are larger than males, body lengths are 8 cm and 7 cm, respectively. Wings are well developed. Insects fly from branch to branch, plan from a height. Exotic lovers often make Blaberusov.

Information. When keeping flying cockroaches as pets, the terrarium must be covered with a net.

Flying cockroaches use wings during courtship of the female. To attract a partner, not only pheromones are used, but special movements. The male lifts wide transparent wings, waves them, making a rattling sound. If the partner takes courtship, the wings rise completely and she climbs onto the back of the male.

Turtle Saussure

Insects come from Central Asia, live in clay deserts. The species has developed sexual dimorphism. Females are rounded, convex, resembling turtles. Body length 45-50 mm. Their wings atrophied. Males are oval, dark, have long developed elytra. Preserved ability to fly.

Lapland cockroach

European species introduced in the USA. Small insects, males 13-14 mm, females 9-10 mm. Males prefer to spend time on low trees and shrubs, flutter between branches. Females are kept in the litter.

Asian cockroach

Externally, insects are twins of the Prussians, in some cases interspecific crossing was noted.They live in subtropical regions of Asia. The species was introduced to the United States, where it spread to the southern states. Adults have long wings, actively fly into the light. Habitats are grassy thickets and leafy litter.

Information. The species Blattella asahinai is not synanthropic, but under adverse conditions it can live in a human dwelling.

Types of Domestic Cockroaches

Scientists have found and classified about 5,000 cockroaches. Only 30 of them live in close interaction with humans. Synanthropic species found in human homes all that is needed for their survival. They received a source of heat, a source of food and water. Cockroaches are considered true synanthropes; they cannot exist in natural conditions. In temperate latitudes, heat-loving insects survive only in heated buildings.

Arthropods are comfortable next to humans, and for us they are a threat to health. On their limbs, insects carry almost 40 types of pathogenic bacteria, helminth eggs, fungi. Pathogenic microorganisms do not pose a danger to them even when ingested. A person can become infected with dysentery, tuberculosis, hepatitis, diphtheria and other diseases. Particles of chitinous cover of molting larvae provoke an allergy. Synanthropes are able to eat around the epidermis. In conditions of nutritional deficiency and moisture, they bite homeowners.

Two types of cockroaches are most widespread: red (Blattella germanica) and black (Blatta orientalis). The Prussians, who are the smallest representatives of the group, take first place in terms of prevalence. Red pests are found in apartments, offices, hospitals, dormitories. The body of the adult is elongated, reddish-yellow, with dark stripes on the pronotum. Elytra narrow, reaching apex of abdomen. Don't fly.

Black cockroaches are rivals of the Prussians in the struggle for territory. Larger individuals (18-30 mm) lose red due to lack of care for offspring. Abandoned egg capsules are defenseless against attacks of omnivorous insects. The body of males is slender, brownish, females are stocky, black. Elytra and wings of insects shortened, poorly developed.

Representatives of the species Periplaneta Americana appeared in Russia not so long ago. Africa is considered the birthplace of insects, but as true cosmopolitans, they spread to other continents. The body of the imago is painted in a reddish-brown or brown color. This is the largest species in the northern latitudes, the length of adult individuals is 28-44 mm. American cockroaches can fly. They populate warm and humid rooms, prefer cellars and communication channels.

Insect structure

All representatives of the cockroach squad have a similar structure. They consist of three main parts: head, chest and abdomen. The body is flattened, oval. Length within 9-95 mm. The head is triangular, covered with a pronotum from above. The mouth apparatus is gnawing, directed downward. Antennae long, bristle-shaped. Elytra with wings and 3 pairs of limbs are attached to the segments of the chest. The abdomen is elongated, flat, with distinct segments.

Larvae are a reduced copy of the imago. Their distinguishing feature is the absence of wings. The offspring acquire an organ after changing several ages and molts, upon reaching puberty.

Insects have two pairs of wings located on segments of the chest. As a result of evolution, the first turned into leathery elytra. They do not take part in the flight. At rest, they fold compactly on their backs, in some cases they partially overlap. The body performs an integumentary function. The hind wings of a cockroach are a thin chitinous plate with veins and trachea. They are webbed and fan-shaped.

Information. Sexual dimorphism of insects is often manifested in the presence and structure of wings. In females, the organ is usually less developed or completely reduced.

Do home cockroaches fly?

The most common type of domestic insect is the Prusac, with yellowish long wings.The organ is developed in both sexes, but is not used for flights. The wings are spread when falling from a height to soften the blow. Insects have enough long running legs. They are able to reach speeds of up to 4 km / h. Using a suction cup on the paws, pests move along vertical surfaces and the ceiling.

In males of a black cockroach, elytra reach 2/3 of the abdomen, brownish wings of this size. The flying organ of females is reduced, the wings are in their infancy. Elytra thin, lanceolate, not reaching abdomen. Such characteristics exclude the possibility of flight.

Two poorly distributed synanthropic species of insects can fly. The male furniture cockroach is endowed with long developed wings and elytra. In length, they exceed the size of the body of the arthropod. Females have shortened wings. East Asian or Australian cockroaches of both sexes demonstrate flying ability.

Flying cockroaches are exotic for people in temperate climates. You can get acquainted with them in the collections of lovers of tropical fauna.