What different types of cockroaches look like. Class insects, order cockroaches Biology cockroaches general characteristics

Greetings dear readers of my blog. In today's article we will look at the structure of a cockroach and the physiological characteristics of this insect. Just imagine - on globe There are more than 7,000 species of cockroaches, and the most common in our latitudes are the red and black cockroaches. These are the ones that will be discussed in this article.

External structure of a cockroach

Despite the huge number of species, all insects of the cockroach order have a similar structure. The main differences are usually the size and color of the insect, but the internal anatomy is almost the same between black and red cockroaches.

Nature has given these creatures excellent help in order to crawl into the crack under the densest plinth - an elongated and flat body. It is divided into the abdomen, thorax (which consists of prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax) and head. In addition, each insect has a pair of wings. Did you know that cockroaches can fly? Below I will tell you how the wings of this creature are structured, what importance the wings have for the reproduction of offspring, and why only males can fly.

Head

I propose to start studying cockroach anatomy from the head, which in most individuals is quite large and has the shape of an oval or rounded triangle. From above it is covered by a shield-shaped anterior segment of the chest, from under which only the back of the head is visible, and the rest of the head is turned downwards.

Eyes

On the sides of the head there are paired compound eyes, and on top there are two simple eyes, which are poorly developed in most species. By the way, thanks to the structural features of their eyes, cockroaches see the world like a mosaic assembled from thousands of small multi-colored pieces. And although such vision does not allow one to distinguish the details of an object, the so-called perception of light flickers in a cockroach is 5 times higher than that of a human.

This is why it is so difficult to overtake an insect with a slipper or newspaper - even the most fast man For cockroaches it’s like a fly stuck in jam. In short, if you've ever asked yourself why these creatures almost always manage to escape punishment, now you know the answer.

Mustache

In children's horror stories, the cockroach is always depicted as a mustachioed monster, and it is not for nothing that so much attention is given to the mustache. It is the antennae that are the organ of thermal sensitivity, touch and smell. They are also used as a means of communication between individuals: by touching their whiskers, cockroaches exchange information. The whiskers are of considerable length and covered with bristles, the number of which increases with each moult and reaches 80 by the age of maturity.

Mouth

Despite small size, red and black cockroach bites can be noticeable and even painful. The fact is that the oral apparatus of these creatures is of the gnawing type and has a rather complex structure, and each part of it has its own special purpose:

• labrum, or upper lip - articulated with the head in a movable manner, covered from the inside with receptors that analyze the composition of food;
• mandibles, or lower jaw - curved, fairly massive plates, covered with sharp teeth, their purpose is to hold a piece of food;
• maxillae, or upper jaws - located above the lower jaws, necessary for grinding food and chewing;
• labium, or lower lip - surrounds the oral apparatus from below, prevents food from falling.

Reading on the topic: Who is the black cockroach and where did it come from in your home?

On the outside of the lower lip there are special receptors (tactile and taste), which are necessary for searching, detecting and analyzing food.

In addition to the complex jaw, the insect’s mouth contains a salivary gland and a tongue-like organ that helps absorb liquid. As you can see, the mouthparts of a cockroach are an ideal tool for searching for and destroying bread crumbs even on the most clean kitchen. It is not for nothing that this type of insect is considered the most tenacious.

Breast

On the chest of cockroaches there are wings, elytra and three pairs of legs. The chest consists of three segments, the largest of which is the first - the so-called pronotum. On the sides of this convex hexagonal segment there are depressions where the elytra are placed. Most often the pronotum has more light color compared to the rest of the body, and in some species this part is even transparent.

Legs

As for the insect’s legs, they are located on different segments of the thorax, consist of five parts and are called “pentamerous.” On the four upper segments of the legs there are pads, and on the lower one there are claws, between which there is also a suction cup.

This structure of the paws helps the insect to easily move on any surface - both horizontal and vertical. Moreover, on the paws of this creature there are tiny hairs that catch even the slightest vibrations in the air, thanks to which the cockroach reacts with lightning speed to a moving object.

Strong legs allow it to develop high speed for such a small size - the cockroach is capable of running at a speed of 3-4 km/h. If this figure is not surprising, imagine this: if a cockroach were the size of a cheetah, it could easily catch up with a member of the cat family.

In addition, the peculiarity of the legs determines the high maneuverability of the insect: cockroaches are able to change their movement pattern with lightning speed. Depending on their location, each pair of legs has its own special purpose:

• the prothoracic tarsi are shorter than all the others; they serve as a kind of brake when high speed cockroach;
• the mid-thoracic legs are responsible for high maneuverability, as they are able to move in different directions;
• The metathoracic tarsi are longer than the other two pairs, move the cockroach’s body forward and are the main walking limbs.

Wings

Two pairs of wings are attached to the cockroach's chest. On top there are hard elytra, designed to cover the abdomen and thinner wings. Interestingly, the length of the male's wings is significantly greater than the length of the female's wings. Cockroaches use their wings to accelerate while moving and also to slow down their fall.

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Fortunately, only one species of cockroaches can fly, but for all the others, their wings are useful for mating games. This is why the male’s wings are longer: during mating, the spread wings form a convenient platform for the larger female.

Abdomen

The abdomen of a cockroach has 11 so-called tergites (segments), but only 8-9 can be distinguished. The tenth segment forms a plate that covers the anus. In females, the abdomen continues with the ootheca - eggs (about 12-16) are stored in this segment. This part of the body has the shape of an oval, and due to its impressive size it is always noticeable and is an obvious difference between a female and a male. It is noteworthy that with sufficient nutrition, the female is capable of producing ootheca every two to three days.

Internal structure of a cockroach

You've probably heard that cockroaches can live without a head for a whole week, or even a month. But you hardly know what physiological characteristics make this possible. Below I will talk about how these work amazing insects from the inside, and why cockroaches feel great even after they have been decapitated.

Digestive system

We already know how the jaws of the black and red cockroach are structured, but what happens to the food next? As I said, the mouth contains salivary glands that secrete saliva to soften and moisten food before swallowing. It is noteworthy that what is eaten will be partially digested in the insect’s crop, and the stomach will do the rest.

Thanks to its muscular structure, it seems to “grind” food, sending it then to the midgut, then to the hindgut and to the excretory system. The intestines of cockroaches are populated by bacteria and fungi, thanks to which the insect is able to digest even inorganic compounds.

Interestingly, the cockroach does not need to chew its food too thoroughly - in the part of the foregut located immediately behind the mouth, there is a row of teeth that will certainly thoroughly crush what it swallows in a hurry.
Cockroaches do not have a urethra, so both feces and urine are excreted through the anus.

Circulatory system

The circulatory system of cockroaches belongs to open type, and the blood of these creatures has White color and is called "hemolymph". Blood circulates freely inside the body, washing all internal organs. The movement of hemolymph is due to the work of the heart, and the speed of blood circulation is very slow, making the cockroach very sensitive to environmental temperature.

Respiratory system

The cockroach breathes using spiracles - these are 10 pairs of small holes that are located on the sides of the abdomen. The spiracles continue with tracheoles - tubes that form a system and connect into six large tracheal trunks. This structure of the respiratory system allows oxygen to be diffusely supplied to all internal organs.

Every person wants to live in a beautiful and a cozy home, because cockroaches are not neighbors that people are willing to put up with. These insects are not only a nuisance, but also harmful. Therefore, you need to get rid of cockroaches as soon as they appear.

What do cockroaches look like?

Cockroaches are insects that sometimes reach 7-10 cm in length. The largest among the cockroaches that can be seen at home are the Prussians. But scientists studying them claim that Prussians are not the worst enemies of apartment owners. Some scientists are confident that we have become the last generation to see the Prussians in person. Very soon these insects will become extinct. And the reason for this will be their size. Prussians are very clumsy and cannot quickly escape when they realize that people have seen them. That's why it's so easy to kill him. In addition, due to their size, they cannot occupy a small safe crevice in which they can hide from people. They are constantly in sight.

Cockroaches that are found in apartments are most often red in color. But in some areas of the country you can also find

The most important thing for this insect was and remains the mustache. This is the organ that helps him survive and find food. Cockroaches carefully groom their whiskers. If he has lost his sense of smell, he will soon die.

To the horror of many impressionable people, some cockroaches can fly. For example, the same Prussians can boast of such a skill. But they fly very rarely.

Why are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are inhabitants of the dark. They leave their shelters and go in search of food as soon as people turn off the lights. Some particularly emotional people are horrified by cockroaches. They start screaming and repeating that cockroaches are incredibly disgusting. But the danger of insects is not only that they frighten household members and guests. These little pests can cause large quantity diseases.

Very often, cockroaches find food for themselves among waste. They rummage through the trash and then leave the trash can to go searching elsewhere. And this place happens dinner table, where the whole family will have breakfast the next morning. Cockroaches can get into the bread bin and spoil the supplies. On their limbs they bring worm eggs, which are found in sufficient quantities in the trash can.

Cockroaches can spoil more than just food. They sometimes destroy the pages of books and damage the covers. They often damage clothes and leather goods. For example, gloves and belts are affected by pests.

Cockroaches bring illness to humans and spoil things. Therefore, you need to start fighting them when they appear in the apartment. This needs to be done as early as possible, because they multiply very quickly.

Why did cockroaches appear in the house?

Cockroaches often appear in homes. Insects cause a lot of inconvenience, and everyone who has these inhabitants wonders why this happened. There can be many reasons.

Cockroaches appear much more often in apartments than in private houses. The reason for this is the remoteness of one frequent home from another. Apartments are located closer, and therefore cockroaches can easily migrate from one to another. Insects, which are difficult to control, multiply very quickly.

One of the reasons why houses could appear unexpected guests, may become their migration in a person's bag from another building. Maybe the cockroaches got in at work and arrived in the apartment on a person’s clothes or in a bag. They can even be brought from another city or from a friends apartment.

In big cities, cockroaches can easily get infested. For example, they can appear due to sewerage. Water also cannot pass from neighboring high-rise buildings.

Maybe an order was placed for home delivery from a store or restaurant. Some establishments are not famous for their cleanliness, and therefore cockroaches enjoy complete permissiveness there.

Some tenants receive unpleasant guests from neighboring apartments. Perhaps unscrupulous citizens have settled in the neighborhood and are too lazy to clean the apartment or take out the trash. Or they also accidentally acquired cockroaches somewhere and now cannot overcome them.

Life of cockroaches

In order to get a huge “army” of domestic cockroaches, it is enough to purchase only one or two. Cockroaches will quickly show themselves. Insects, which reproduce very quickly, will come out for food as soon as the light is turned off.

The rate of reproduction of cockroaches depends on the conditions provided to them. If there is a lot of food, then the “army” will be larger. Cockroaches thrive in areas where it is easy to get to the trash can. It will be especially good for them if the trash can does not have a lid. Insects will happily live where there is a lot of dirty dishes, and there is a greasy residue in the sink. They love it when crumbs remain on the table after eating. In addition, cockroaches will happily settle in places where food is not stored in airtight conditions. But this does not mean that the owners have clean and cozy apartments cockroaches will not settle in. Black and red insects will also live with them, but they will not reproduce so quickly.

What do cockroaches eat?

Cockroaches are very tenacious. Insects easily find food for themselves. In order to ensure a comfortable life, they most often settle in the kitchen. There they will be able to create a whole colony.

Cockroaches can eat both sugar and fruit. They won't even disdain meat. Insects love bread and rolls, so crumbs on the table or an uncovered bread bin will become heaven for them. But cockroaches do not feed on humans. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid that a large “army” will attack a person one night and eat him. But this does not mean that the pest cannot bite. He may want to try what smells so tempting, or just to protect himself.

How difficult is it to remove cockroaches?

Cockroaches show a huge thirst for life. Insects, the species of which are numerous, are very difficult to breed. To do this, you will even have to change your life in some way, because you will need to give up some habits.

In order to remove cockroaches, you will need to be patient. They are so tenacious that they can even do without a head. A cockroach that has lost a major part of its body can live 10 days and not even realize that anything is wrong. Additionally, cockroaches can survive a wide variety of chemicals. They can even survive the release of radiation.

Insects can live for a very long time without food. Some are able to survive for 40 days. Every day they will become hungrier. And if after this period of days he does not find food, he will become dangerous to humans. After all, then the cockroaches can bite. As mentioned above, they cannot eat anyone, but their bites are very painful.

Cockroaches can even tolerate poisons. They fall into a trance-like state. People who see a cockroach in this condition may think it has died. But don't delude yourself. Apartment owners throw cockroaches into trash cans, and then wonder why their number does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases. After several days in the trash, the cockroaches come to their senses and continue their normal lives.

How to remove cockroaches

People are very tired of them, every apartment owner wants to know. But this is not easy to do, because over time insects develop immunity to various poisons.

In order to remove cockroaches, you need to use the most modern means. It is necessary to treat all those places where pests can live: these are all the cracks and corners where they find shelter during the day. It is worth paying maximum attention.

After all the cracks have been processed, you will need to seal them. We must take away the opportunity for cockroaches to find a new home.

Insect corpses should be burned or flushed down the toilet. Maybe they're not as dead as they seem, so they shouldn't be left in the trash.

Help from specialists

Getting rid of cockroaches is very difficult. This is especially difficult in cases where a person knows almost nothing about them and has no idea where they can live or how to remove them. Specialists come to help people and carry out disinfection. After this, you can not only get rid of the pests, but also protect yourself from them returning after some time. The services of a specialist are inexpensive, but bring great benefits.

Cockroaches cause a lot of inconvenience. The insects, photos of which can be seen in the article, are very tenacious, but they can be removed. You need to protect yourself from cockroaches starting to multiply at high speed. You need to carefully ensure that the apartment is clean, and then the insects will not be able to find food for themselves and their offspring. In this case, they will look for a more favorable place to live.

Cockroaches can become a nightmare for a home or other place where people live. When such “neighbors” appear, getting them out is not an easy task. As soon as the insects occupy a room with suitable conditions, their numbers increase and they can only be removed if the type of cockroaches is accurately determined.

Years of study

Science knows about the existence of approximately 5,000 species of cockroaches. About 55 of them can live in houses and apartments, but often we only encounter a few. Almost everyone is afraid of large cockroaches. And there is nothing strange about this: such insects can hardly be called pleasant neighbors.

Can cockroaches fly? They can, since they have wings that are reduced only in some species. A flying insect causes even greater horror in people who are terrified of cockroaches. In nature, there is only one species of these insects capable of spontaneous flight. However, it is not found in our country. By the way! It is believed that every ten years there is the new kind cockroaches

Insects prefer rooms that are warm and humid. The activity of these creatures occurs at night, which prevents their timely detection. The body length of insects is different and can vary from 0.4 to 10 cm. The head is in the shape of a triangle, flattened in the dorsoventral direction. The oral apparatus is of a gnawing type, and the opening of the mouth is located in the lower part.

Black beetle

Black cockroaches are the most common. Their food consists of fresh and spoiled products. In areas with warm climates they even live outdoors. In reality, home for black cockroaches is only a small part of their range. And the definition of a large black cockroach has a fairly broad meaning. Their color can vary from rich brown to black.

This type of cockroach also has different sizes. The term “large” is taken literally by a disinfection specialist (ten centimeters). However, in reality, the insect body does not exceed 3 cm in length in females. By the way, their presence in the room is a sign of poor sanitary conditions. They live in garbage cans, toilets and other similar places. It is not surprising that these creatures are carriers of many diseases. The mere appearance of cockroaches is terrifying. Photos of insects clearly demonstrate this.

Red cockroach

The red cockroach is one of the species with the widest range. Mostly we meet them. They accompany a person wherever he leaves food remains.

The structure of red and black cockroaches is identical. Only the former have an elongated body with a reddish-brown chitinous cover. Popular name- Prusak. Red species of domestic cockroaches surround humans everywhere.

American cockroach

The size of the American cockroach can reach four centimeters. They feed on almost everything and are highly fertile. The considerable growth rate and ability to survive make us talk about this representative of the cockroaches seriously.

American cockroaches can move everywhere, even on the ceiling. When in danger, this insect exudes a stinking liquid that causes an instant allergy in the enemy. It can be considered one of the longest-livers among the entire cockroach family. If you find this creature in your home, immediately contact the appropriate service to remove them. An American cockroach can even attack a pet in a fight for food! Agree, such creatures are very unpleasant neighbors.

We have listed the most known species cockroaches Next, let's talk about those that can cause surprise and even amazement when meeting.

Albino cockroaches

This is a fairly rare occurrence, but nevertheless causes discomfort. It looks like an insect that has shed its shell while molting. The procedure for changing the chitinous cover (molting) occurs up to 8 times during the life of a cockroach. Then it becomes quite light, but soon chitin is formed again.

Albinos are endowed with a colorless shell. This phenomenon also occurs among other species of animals and plants. It is worth remembering that albinos are pests just like other cockroaches. It is difficult to say exactly how many types of cockroaches there are. Their approximate number is five thousand, other sources put the figure at 4600. Any insects can be albinos.

What species end up in houses?

Not all types of cockroaches want to get into the house. But if red-haired Prussians made their way into the home, then a serious struggle awaits. Those residents who have already removed cockroaches remember their agility. It is difficult to find out where exactly these insects entered the house. But the main reasons for their appearance in the apartment are known:

• dirty dishes in the sink that haven’t been washed for a long time;
• garbage with food remains that is rarely taken out of the house;
• neighbors who already have cockroaches.

There is an increased risk of insect pests for those who live close to canteens and cafes. There are cases when cockroaches are simply brought home from work. Maintaining cleanliness in the house (primarily in the kitchen) is the main means of preventing the occurrence of disgusting insects Even one cockroach that gets into a house can quickly multiply. By the way, it also happens that insects appear in those who zealously monitor the cleanliness of their home.

Reproduction of different species

Knowledge of the basics life cycle cockroaches will help prevent their appearance and facilitate the process of exterminating unwanted guests. One female is capable of giving birth to 40 young individuals. Their number depends on the number of larvae in the egg carried by the female. Outwardly, such an egg looks more like a bag. All types of cockroaches breed in the apartment all year round.

During her life, the female lays eggs up to 4 times. Detecting such masonry is problematic. Another feature of the life activity of these creatures is their ability to leave marks at sources of food and water for their relatives.

But getting rid of any type of cockroaches is difficult. Even expensive drugs are sometimes unable to cope with this task. Exterminators advise to take preventive measures to prevent the appearance of these creatures in your home, because destroying them will be quite problematic.

Lifespan

You may remember the joke that cockroaches existed before dinosaurs and outlived them by many thousands of years. This joke is only part of a joke, and the rest, alas, is true. The remains of cockroaches are, along with the remains of cockroach crickets, the most numerous traces of insects in Paleozoic deposits. Cockroaches adapt very well to changing conditions. They only need water and food to live.

Life expectancy is determined by the availability of food. Different types of cockroaches live their lives. Prussians can survive without food for up to a month, and blacks - up to 70 days. In conditions of food shortage, cannibalism is common among them. And sometimes cockroaches can bite people.

It might surprise you, but these creatures can live with their heads missing! The experiments carried out are stunning: an insect deprived of a head will live for several more weeks. This is explained by the structural features. They breathe over the entire surface of their body. Scattered throughout the body nervous system retains basic reflexes. However, a headless creature will practically lose orientation in the world around it and will not be able to remember and learn.

Insect bites

Cockroaches bite when they lack food or water. Obviously, bites are not a manifestation of wild aggression, but only a way to replenish missing nutrition and survive. The following areas of the body are most affected:

• elbow and knee bends, eyelids, lips (bite off particles of skin);
• skin near the eyes and lips (they bite women and children during sleep);
• skin in the nasolabial fold.

Cockroaches can feed on sweat, secretions of the sebaceous glands, saliva and feces. It's safe to say: cockroach bites are quite dangerous. Damaged areas almost always swell and become inflamed.

There is an opinion that there is a species of cockroaches that feed on eyelashes. In practice, almost all members of the family can eat the hair of the human body.

Allergy to cockroaches

People are often allergic to cockroaches. Allergens penetrate inside in different ways: with air, with food, directly through contact. According to doctors, the majority of patients with bronchial asthma are allergic to cockroaches. The consequences of such a pathology can be very different:

• Feeling stuffy in pest habitats.
• Feeling unwell when cleaning an apartment with cockroaches.

By the way, allergies can be caused by any type of cockroaches. Photos of insects even provoke an attack of severe disgust, let alone a “meeting face to face”! And if you also take into account that “close acquaintance” is fraught with serious consequences, then it is not surprising that people try to get rid of uninvited neighbors by hook or by crook.

You can avoid trouble if you do simple rules room hygiene:

• Monitor the serviceability of plumbing equipment.
• Wash dishes in a timely manner and keep them in a specially designated place.
• Always remove trash from your home and do not allow it to stagnate.
• The trash bin must be tightly closed so that insects are not interested in it.

Where do cockroaches hide?

Many people know the appearance of a cockroach, but finding it is not an easy task. Usually we learn about their presence at the moment when insects already feel at ease in the open spaces of our home and do a lot of dirty deeds. If the owner of a residential premises wants to find out about an unpleasant neighborhood earlier, then he can follow simple recommendations that will help you find habitats uninvited guests.

First, almost any type of cockroach loves dark, dirty places. As for everything else, the main signs of the presence of cockroaches are as follows:

• black dots are visible on the tiles and furniture - insect excrement;
• an unpleasant specific odor is felt;
• Cockroach eggs are visible in the cracks.

There are often cases when the owner sees all this, but does not focus his attention on it. This may continue for some time until the cockroaches begin to run around the house in groups. We must not forget that if even insignificant traces of the insects we are considering catch our eye, then we should definitely declare war on them.

If you find uninvited guests, you should not leave the solution to the problem “for later” or let things take their course. Every day is important. The sooner you begin to destroy pests, the less damage to your family and home you will emerge victorious from this brutal struggle.

Now you know how many types of cockroaches can become uninvited neighbors in your home. We hope you found the information useful. After all, forewarned means forearmed!

The roots come from the warm African latitudes and were transported by man to all continents. Almost all types of cockroaches feel great in our homes, despite numerous attempts to get rid of the pests. Cockroaches are very tenacious creatures; they can withstand radioactive radiation ten times higher than the lethal dose for humans.

The insect's body is designed in such a way that it can digest leather, paper and even wood, thanks to the plates located in the stomach and helping to process food.

The insect can survive most low-toxic poisons if there is access to water. Even in the absence of food, insects can live up to two months, thanks to their ability to slow down their metabolism. The only thing about all types of cockroaches is frost, they are cold-blooded, so when sub-zero temperature freeze to death.

Cockroaches not only disgust apartment owners, but can cause serious trouble; cockroaches can carry the following diseases: typhoid, tuberculosis, dysentery, hepatitis and many other diseases; pests can also carry worm larvae and other unpleasant things on their paws.

Furniture cockroach

Furniture cockroaches were discovered in Russia about 100 years ago. From the name it is clear that these insects like to hide in furniture. These cockroaches can often be found in city libraries, furniture workshops and bedrooms.

A characteristic feature of these cockroaches is their light color, as can be seen in the photo below.

American cockroach

Its homeland is Africa, but it was brought to America and it has taken root remarkably well in human homes, where the optimum air temperature is constantly maintained and food is abundant.

The size of the insect does not exceed 3 cm and the reproduction rate is inferior to the Prussians familiar to us. The American cockroach was able to move to Europe and even took root in many countries with a relatively warm climate.

Vietnamese cockroach (Shelfordella tartara)

This type lives in southern regions Russia and is known under the names “Turkestan cockroach” and “Central Asian cockroach”. This cockroach is quite rare and lives mainly on the street. Adults reach 2.5 cm and are able to jump far, assisted by their wings. The cockroach has a dark abdomen and a yellow cephalothorax, which is clearly visible in the photo.

Exotic cockroaches

These cockroaches are specially bred by lovers of exotic animals. Some exotic species of cockroaches reach 10 cm in length. Some keep cockroaches in the house as a pet, but many breed large cockroaches to feed various pets (snakes, frogs, lizards, fish), and do not require special care, so many prefer not to buy dubious food, but to grow them themselves and be sure of its freshness.

Death's head cockroach (Blaberus craniifer)

This species lives in the tropics of South and Central America. It got its name from a pattern that resembled an ugly mask located on the insect’s head. It is also called the Cuban cockroach. Cockroaches grow up to 8 cm, the chitinous shell is matte black, the cephalothorax is light with a black pattern in the middle, as seen in the photo.

The Cuban cockroach can fly well, and its wingspan reaches 10 cm. When in danger, the cockroach releases a pungent odor that does not disappear for a long time. Life expectancy is about one and a half years.

Rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros)

The Australian cockroach spends most of its time underground and is often called the giant burrowing rhinoceros cockroach for its ability to dig deep holes. At night, the cockroach crawls to the surface in search of food; they feed on fruits, leaves and do not disdain carrion.

An adult grows up to 9 cm in length and weighs up to 40 grams; the photo shows a female and a male rhinoceros cockroach. The Australian cockroach is often found among hobbyists exotic species cockroaches

Chess cockroach (Therea bernhardti)

This species lives in India; during the day, insects hide in fallen leaves, and at night they come out in search of food, like most representatives of the species. Cockroaches are black in color, but have white spots on their backs arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Chess cockroaches are long-lived and can live in good conditions up to 5 years.

These cockroaches love high humidity around 70-80% and warm air 25-30°c.

Madagascar hissing cockroach

The most common representative of cockroaches found in insectariums. It is this species that appeals to lovers of exotic animals. Unpretentious, quiet and does not require skills to maintain. The size of this giant reaches 10 cm, and their main trump card is hissing in case of danger, which is created when the insect suddenly releases air from special spiracles.

The optimal conditions for keeping are 23-30° degrees, and the humidity should be around 60%.

Egyptian turtle cockroach (Polyphaga aegyptiaca)

The cockroach has a rounded body shape, reminiscent of a turtle shell, maximum size 4.5 cm. The carapace is shiny black, covered with transverse plates.

Habitat: Central Asia, Caucasus, feeds on leaves, animal remains, feces. Lifespan Egyptian cockroach 4 years.

Green banana cockroach (Panchlora nivea)

A striking species of cockroaches that fly well. They have taken root in banana plantations and feed on leaves. This species was discovered quite recently and has not yet gained popularity among cockroach lovers.

The cockroach is native to the Florida forests and Cuba. Optimal temperature for this species 27 degrees Celsius. The cockroach is small in size and reaches 2.5 cm.

Forest cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus)

Lives in wooded areas, feeds on tree leaves, carrion, and plants. Hides in tree roots and under leaves.

There are a huge number of species of cockroaches, there are even Japanese pest. Almost all types of cockroaches are harmless to humans and cannot bite through the skin.

A colony of arthropods burrowing in the substrate is a typical picture of modern tropical forests. Insects cockroaches are the oldest representatives of neoptera with incomplete transformation. Over the years of evolution, they have not undergone major changes. Arthropods have become true cosmopolitans, spreading across all continents except Antarctica. Cockroaches are hardy and agile, shy and omnivorous. Some species have become synanthropic insects.

Classification

The order Cockroaches (Blattopera) belongs to the class insects, phylum arthropods. Termites are included in a large group of 7,570 species. Cockroaches are members of the superorder Cockroaches (Dictyoptera). It includes new-winged insects with incomplete metamorphosis. 4640 species of cockroaches have been found and studied in the world. There is a constant debate among scientists regarding taxonomy. The authors divide cockroaches into different numbers of families and subfamilies, classify them together and separately with termites.

According to the latest data, 8 families have been identified: Nocticolidae, Corydiidae, Blaberidae, Ectobiidae, Cryptocercidae, Tryonicidae, lamproblattidae, Blattidae. The greatest diversity of species is found in the tropics. Insects found an abundance of food and shelter in warm and humid forests. There are 55 species of cockroaches living in the CIS. Some of them are synanthropic, living next to humans.

Information. Is a cockroach an insect or an animal? In everyday reference, animals are four-legged vertebrates, but in scientific classification they include many organisms. Insects are arthropod invertebrate animals.

Structure of a cockroach

Despite the species diversity of the order, the body structure of its representatives is largely similar. The morphology of the imago (adult individuals) is typical. Differences appear in size and color.

External structure of a cockroach

The body of insects is flattened and oval in shape. This structure allows you to crawl into narrow cracks and holes. The length of the imago ranges from 9 to 95 mm. The color of the cover is often dark - brown, black, brown. Reddish and coffee colors are less common. Nocturnal lifestyle, secrecy and the need for camouflage do not require the presence of bright colors.

Interesting fact. Most close-up view The Madagascar hissing cockroach is considered, its length is up to 100 mm. For comparison, the size of Prussians is 9-10 mm. They will tell you more popular information.

Body parts of a cockroach

Insects consist of three main sections: head, thorax, and abdomen. Dividing the body promotes mobility. Functional significance of each department:

The head is triangular or heart-shaped, movable, covered from above by a pronotal shield. The organs of vision and touch are located on it. Antennae are movable appendages consisting of segments. The type is bristle-like. The functions of the antennae of a cockroach are touch and smell. With the help of appendages, they determine the taste of food, find sexual partners, and communicate between individuals. The mouthparts are directed downwards.

Information. The number of segments in the antennae increases with changing ages of the larvae. They are added after molting.

Thorax - the middle section consists of three segments, divided into tergites and sternites. The upper half rings form the back, the lower half rings form the chest. The largest segment is the pronotum; it can be flat or convex. Elytra and wings are attached to it. Each part of the chest belongs to one pair of limbs.

The abdomen is the largest section and consists of 10 segments. At its end there are paired segmented appendages of the cerci. The abdomen houses the respiratory and digestive systems, and in females the ovipositor. The anal plate is located on the 10th tergite.

Features of the structure of cockroaches

Each of the main parts of the body contains organs that provide vital functions for insects.

What kind of eyes does a cockroach have?

The main organ of vision in cockroaches is compound or compound eyes. They are located on the sides of the head. Have various sizes(large in winged forms) and kidney-shaped. The interocular space is well defined. Additional organs of vision, simple eyes, help assess the intensity of light. They are small and located at the top of the head. How many eyes does a cockroach have? Insects have 2 main eyes and 2 simple ocelli, which individual species atrophied.

You will learn about the phenomenal endurance of insects in the article.

Type of cockroach mouthparts

Insects that eat solid food have developed gnawing type mouthparts. It consists of several parts:

• Upper lip - sensitive hairs on its surface help in studying food.
• The upper jaw (mandibles) consists of a durable chitinous plate with teeth. Used for biting and grinding food.
• The lower jaw (maxilla) is a movable organ consisting of several segments that supports food during grinding.
• The lower lip helps push food into the pharynx; its palp is an organ of touch.

The cockroach's mouthparts have remained unchanged throughout the entire period of its existence. It allows you to absorb plant residues and any organic matter.

Cockroach limbs

Running is the main method of movement for representatives of the cockroach order. The structure of their legs helps them with this. The limbs consist of 5 parts. They are attached to the body with the help of a coxa, which has developed muscles. The longest segments are the thigh and tibia. The flexible foot consists of 5 segments. There are spines on the legs and thighs. How many legs does a cockroach have? Insects have 2 pairs of limbs, each of which is attached to a specific part of the chest.

Information. Some species have a suction cup on the foot, allowing insects to move along vertical surfaces.

Limbs are used for more than just running and jumping. With them, the imago cleans the antennae and body of food debris. The legs are flexible and mobile, they allow you to quickly change the trajectory of movement in case of danger. average speed Prusak 3-4 km/h.

The structure of the wings of a cockroach

The ancestors of insects had developed wings and the ability to fly. Many modern views she was lost. Appendages appear only in adults. They consist of two pairs. The first is the leathery elytra. They perform protective function and do not participate in the flight. The second pair are membranous wings. The length and development of the appendages depends on the species. In females, the wings are less developed. In a calm state, insects fold them on their backs.

Flying cockroaches are most often found in the tropics, but some species are found in Central Asia and Europe. Among domestic insects, the American cockroach demonstrates the ability to fly. Although Prussians have long wings, they rarely spread them and can glide.

Internal structure of a cockroach

The vital activity of insects is provided by the main systems:

• circulatory;
• nervous;
• digestive;
• excretory.

To understand how insects can live for months without food and about a week without a head, we need to study them in more detail.

Circulatory system - blood (hemolymph) flows in the space between the internal organs of the insect. There is only one vessel in the body connected to the heart. Main muscle. The pumping blood consists of 13 chambers, 2 of them are in the chest, the rest in the abdomen. The function of blood is to carry nutrients and removal of breakdown products. Distributes oxygen respiratory system. This is the main reason for the reduction of blood vessels. The blood movement is slow, the insect does not maintain a constant body temperature.

Information. If you deprive a cockroach of its head, the hemolymph quickly sinteres and the body does not bleed.

When depicted schematically, the respiratory system resembles a tree. It consists of a tracheal system that encircles all important organs. Branches extend from the main trachea, gradually decreasing in diameter. WITH external environment The system is connected by 10 stigmas, which are called spiracles in cockroaches. Two pairs of stigmas are located on the sides of the chest, the main part is located on the abdomen. Breathing occurs when the department contracts.

The digestive system is an intestine divided into several sections. In the mouth, food is ground and moistened with saliva. Next, it is pushed into the pharynx, then into the crop, where digestion and absorption begin. Food is fed into the stomach in small portions. It is prepared and sent to the midgut. In this section, the digestive secretion is secreted and the main absorption occurs. Excrement comes out through the anus.

The excretory system or Malpighian vessels remove waste products from the body through the hindgut.

What is the body of a cockroach covered with?

The typical cover of arthropods is a chitinous shell. For cockroaches, this is a shell that protects internal organs. It allows the body to maintain its shape and serves as a skeleton. The outer cover prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture. At the base of the limbs, the layer of chitin is thinner to provide mobility to the legs. The hard shell limits the growth of insects. During development, the larvae have to shed it. The tight shell cracks and the insect crawls out of it. At first his body is white and soft. This is a sign of the absence of chitin. After a few hours the cover is restored.

Information. An encounter with molted arthropods gave rise to myths about white cockroaches.

Features of reproduction

The duration of carrying depends on the species, some shed the ootheca after 7-14 days, others keep it in the abdomen until the larvae are born. The egg cocoon helps increase the survival rate of the offspring. This is the first food of the larvae. The young are born white, with a soft coat. The larvae stay near the mother or burrow into the ground. They go through 3-12 instars before turning into adults. Each is accompanied by molting - shedding a tight shell.

The offspring are called larvae or nymphs. Outwardly, they resemble adults. The differences are:

• small size;
• absence of genitals;
• a small number of antennal segments;
• lacking wings.

Larvae make up the bulk of the colony. They show more caution than adults and burrow into the ground more often. Development takes from several months to 1-2 years. When the temperature drops, the larvae grow poorly.

Nutrition

IN natural conditions Most cockroaches are vegetarians; they eat fallen leaves, fruits, and dead plants. Some species are omnivores, their diet expanded to include the remains and excrement of animals. Domestic insects feed on any food found in the apartment. Preference is given to sweets, bread and pastries, as well as fruits. You will learn about the diet of domestic pests in the material.

The harmfulness of insects

Synanthropic species living in human homes are a potential health threat. In search of food, they examine sewers, garbage chutes, and rodent holes. Pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and helminth eggs remain on the legs of insects. Dangerous microorganisms are transferred to food, bedding, and furniture. If you do not wash your hands regularly, there is a high risk of contracting dysentery, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and hepatitis.

Particles of chitinous cover, scattered by larvae after molting, cause severe allergic reactions. People develop chronic rhinitis and asthma. All information about the threat to human health is in the article.

In addition, pests spoil food, books, and wallpaper. They prefer secluded warm places, so they crawl into electrical devices. Insects cause short circuit and equipment breakdowns. In the fight against synanthropes, any means are used: freezing premises, glue traps, poisoned baits, insecticides. Treatment of apartments with special chemicals effective method get rid of insects.

Just a few synanthropic species cockroaches received the status of pests of stocks and carriers of infectious diseases. The main part of insects plays a significant role in the world ecosystem. Arthropods are destroyers of plant and animal debris and food for animals, birds and reptiles.