[Biology Class Notes] on Cockroach Life Cycle Pdf

Cockroaches (order Blattodea), also known as roaches, are a group of over 4,600 insect species that are among the earliest living flying insects, having been discovered in 320-million-year-old fossils. The Cockroach is a misspelling of Cucaracha, a Spanish term.

The cockroach is distinguished by its flattened oval shape, strong threadlike antennae, and a shiny black or brown leathery integument. The mouthparts point backward rather than the front or below, and the head is curved downward. Female Cockroaches are normally wingless or have vestigial wings, whilst males have two pairs of wings. Cockroaches consume both plant and animal matter, including food, paper, clothing, and books, as well as dead insects, particularly bedbugs. Insecticides are used to control roaches.

The American cockroach is the largest common species of cockroach and mostly they are considered to be pests. In certain areas of the world, they are also known as waterbugs. It has an average length of 4 cm and they are mainly reddish-brown and have a yellowish margin on the pronotum. The body of cockroaches is divided into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. The scientific name of cockroaches is Americana Periplaneta. It has a long and coiled alimentary canal divided into three parts-Prothorax, Mesothorax, and Metathorax. They are known for leaving behind a stinky smell, attacking household food items, and are considered carriers of diseases.

The social structure of the gregarious German cockroach, for example, is complex, with shared shelter, social dependence, information transfer, and kin recognition. Cockroaches have been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. Even though the majority of species are harmless and live in a variety of habitats around the world, they are frequently portrayed as filthy pests.

Classification of Cockroach

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Subclass: Pterygota

• Superorder: Dictyoptera

• Order: Blattodea

• Family: Blaberidae, Blattidae, Corydiidae, Cryptocercidae, Ectobiidae; Lampron Blattidae, Nocticolidae, Tryonicidae

Life Cycle of Cockroach

A Cockroach’s life cycle is separated into three stages, which are as follows:

Stage 1:  Reproduction – The Eggs (Ootheca) 

Their life cycle begins with laying eggs, they mainly give 10 to 50 eggs in one term in warm, humid conditions. It takes cockroaches about one to two months to hatch, but the egg stage lasts for 14 to 100 days depending on climatic changes in the environment. Higher temperature leads to an increase in the rate of development. Most of the females create multiple eggs during their lifetimes. Example: 300 eggs in a year.

The eggshell covering the abdomen of female Cockroaches is known as ootheca. The eggs are carried in the ootheca by the Cockroaches to protect them until they reach the nymph stage. 

The number of eggs an ootheca may hold varies depending on the species. Depending on the habitat in which they live, these eggs hatch into nymphs.

Stage 2:  Baby Cockroach – The Nymph 

This is the second stage of development and is known as the nymphal stage. This process undergoes several molts, growing little each day by day and after this, they shed their skins. In their earlier stage, they have soft, white bodies that harden and change the color to brown or gray. They are fully developed in their last molt. 

The nymph stage lasts a different amount of time depending on the species. It also depends on the surroundings and whether or not predators are there. The nymph stage can last anywhere from 11 to 14 months. The nymph enters the adult stage after completing many stages of molting and developing features such as wings.

Stage 3: Developed Cockroach- The Adult 

From nymph cockroaches to adult cockroaches they develop a pair of wings. Their life span varies from species to species, some live for two months, or some two live for two years. They are omnivorous in nature-they feed on paper to the leftover food material. When female cockroaches are fully developed they lay mainly 500-600 offspring. 

The nymph Cockroach’s pair of wings is one method to tell them apart from adult Cockroaches. Adult Cockroaches have a lifetime that varies by species. Some species live for only two months, while others live for nearly two years.

Cockroaches are omnivorous, eating everything from paper strips to leftover food from the night before. 

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LifeSpan of Cockroach

The Length of American cockroach life depends upon the environment, diet, and many other conditions. If conditions are favorable lead to the rapid growth of the cockroach body while unfavorable conditions lead to the death of cockroaches. An American cockroach will live for about a year. It will reproduce, lay more eggs and give birth to more and more cockroaches. For their lives, they need food, shelter. The lifespan of cockroach depends on several factors like:

1. Breed:

Different species live under different conditions, that is the environment.

2. Diet:

Diet also plays a crucial role in the life span of cockroaches.

3. Environment:

Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature also play a crucial role in their development.

Medical and Economical Significance of Cockroach

American cockroaches create public problems as they are associated with human waste and disease and their ability to move from sewers into homes and commercial establishments. The cockroach is found in caves, mines, sewers, sewage treatment plants, and dumps. They are claimed to be mechanical transmitters of disease-causing microorganisms such as intestinal parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. The one thing common between Earthworm and Cockroach is

1. Nephridia

2. Ventral nerve cord

3. Closed blood vascular system< /p>

4. Cocoon

Answer: b) Ventral nerve cord

2. Blatta Cockroaches are also referred to as

1. German Cockroach

2. American Cockroach

3. Australian Cockroach

4. Oriental Cockroach

Answer: d) Oriental Cockroach

3. The Heart of Cockroach comprises of how many chambers

1. 6 chambered

2. 9 chambered

3. 13 chambered

4. 26 chambered

Answer: c) 13 chambered

4. Scientific name of cockroach is:

a) Periplaneta americana

b) Pheritima Posthuma

Answer: (a)

5. Lifespan of cockroach is:

a) 3 Month

b) 2 Months 

Answer: (a)

6. Head of the cockroach is made up of a fusion of how many segments:

a) Two

b) Three

c) Four

Answer: (b)

7. Nature of cockroach sexuality:

a) Unisexual

b) Bisexual

Answer:(a)