Scientific Name of Cockroach

Scientific Name of Cockroach: In Biology, all the organisms have their scientific names that are unique for every organism. Scientific name of the cockroach is Blattodea, and it belongs to the order Blattaria. It includes 460 genera and approximately 4,500 species worldwide. All these cockroaches are categorized under the” Arthropoda” Phylum which is classified as a “Class Insecta” within the “Animalia kingdom”. In Hindi, it is called “kakroch”. Cockroaches have existed on Earth for more than 300 million years and will continue to exist.

In this article, you will learn about the Scientific name of cockroach, its taxonomy, characteristics, and geographical distribution of cockroach.

What is the Scientific Name of Cockroach?

The scientific name for the cockroach is “Blattodea”, and they belong to the order “Blattaria.” The “binomial nomenclature” is used to classify genus and species names. The Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus developed this system. There are 4,500 known species of cockroaches that have been discovered, and the “American cockroach” is one of the most common Species. The varied sizes of cockroaches typically range from 0.2 inches to 3 inches in length. Even though, they are social insects, they are found in tropical and subtropical regions.
Here are a few examples, along with their scientific names:

• American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)
• Giant Burmese cockroach (Megablatta punctatissima)
• Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai)
• Surinam Cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis)
• Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
• Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)

Taxonomy of Cockroach

Cockroaches are classified as members of the “superorder Dictyoptera,” which includes 460 genera and 4,500 species. The taxonomy of cockroaches is given below:

Scientific Name	“Blattodea”
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Blattodea
Family	Blattidae
Genus	Periplaneta

Characteristics of Cockroach

Following are some of the characteristics shown by a Cockroach

1. They can live around 10 days without their heads.
2. Some of the cockroaches have wings that are used for flying.
3. They are black and brownish in color.
4. They are most active at night.
5. They use their antennae like we can use our nose and mouth. So that they can taste and smell a meal.
6. They can spread harmful germs and hide in unclean areas.
7. It can live without food for almost a month.
8. They can spread disease and bacteria that can affect humans.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat of Cockroach

Cockroaches are commonly found in warm and humid places worldwide, excluding Antarctica. Even though, Less than 1.0% of all known cockroach species are actually major pest species. The rest are insects that live freely and are primarily found in tropical areas of the planet. They usually migrate at night and are fast runners, and capable of flying for short distances when required. Whereas, Sewers and basements are ideal habitats for cockroaches because they are warm, dark, and moist. They frequently get into buildings through pipes, drains, and crevices.

FAQs on Scientific Name of Cockroach

1. What is the Scientific Name of Cockroach?

“Blattodea”, is the scientific name for a cockroach, and belongs to the order ” Blattaria”. It includes 460 genera and and 4,500 species worldwide. All these cockroaches are categorized under the” Arthropoda” Phylum which is classified as a “Class Insecta” within the “Animalia kingdom”.

2. Name any Two Species of Cockroach.

Two species of cockroach includes: Giant Burmese Cockroach, Asian Cockroach.

3. What are the “Phylum” and “Subphylum” of the Cockroach they are Divided in?

The “Phylum” of the Cockroach is Arthropoda and the “Subphylum” is Hexapoda which indicates the presence of the basic taxonomic groups that include other species of the Cockroach in which they are divided.

4. Are there Different Species of Cockroaches with Distinct Scientific Names?

Yes, there are thousands of species of cockroaches, and each has its own scientific name. For example, the German cockroach is known as Blattella germanica, and the American cockroach is Periplaneta americana.

5. Are all Cockroaches in the same Family?

No, not all cockroaches belong to the same family. The order Blattodea includes several families of cockroaches, such as Blattidae, Blaberidae, and Polyphagidae, among others.