South China Morning Post
SCMP
Cockroaches
They are very close ...
... and you can’t escape them
Adolfo
Arranz
Deputy Head
Infographics
& Illustration
They survived three mass extinctions and appeared on Earth 300 million years before mankind. Humans consider them one of the most repugnant of all creatures, but only a few of the 4,000 species are considered pests. In this graphic, we show you everything you need to know about these hardiest of insects.
The long timeline of a born survivor
Morphology, a close glance
Characteristics of the American cockroach, which also apply to the German, Oriental and Brown-banded cockroaches
Anntenae
Mobile antennae are the tactoreceptor organs that allow cockroaches to feel and smell everything around them. These are made up of a number of small hair-covered segments called sensilla
Life cycle
Each species of cockroaches has a different ootheca, which contains a number of eggs. This diagram shows the periplaneta americana specimen
Spread out
When you see one, there is a huge likelihood there are many others hidden nearby
Super divers
Some cockroaches can dive and swim under water for almost 30 minutes. They can travel quickly over long distances in sewer pipes
Paper eaters
Some cockroaches can eat non-organic items like paper or toothpaste, but their extraordinary digestive system can absorb nutrients from almost anything
Survival without water and food
Size for common pest
Between 3,500 and 4,000 species of cockroaches have been identified, but only a few are considered a pest. These are the most common:
Jointed exoskeletons
The articulated exoskeleton allows the cockroach to adapt the interior of its soft body to any space and to move very fast
