Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria. The name cockroach comes from the Spanish word cucaracha, chafer, beetle, from cuca "kind of caterpillar." The scientific name derives from the Latinized Greek name for the insect. There are about 4,500 species of cockroach, of which 30 species are associated with human habitations and about four species are well known as pests.
Among the best-known pest species are the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, which is about 30 millimeters (1.2 in) long, the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, about 15 millimeters (0.59 in) long, the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai, also about 15 millimeters (0.59 in) in length, and the Oriental cockroach, Blatta oriental's, about 25 millimeters (0.98 in). Tropical cockroaches are often much bigger, and extinct cockroach relatives and 'roachoids' such as the Carboniferous Archimylacris and the Permian Apthoroblattina were not as large as the biggest modern species. They usually live alone only coming together to mate. The more interesting fact about Cockroaches is that they can live 9 days without their heads before they starve to death. Cockroaches have a high tolerance to radiation and are the most likely creature to survive a nuclear war. The cockroach is the fastest animal on six legs - covering 1 meter in a second.
Among the best-known pest species are the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, which is about 30 millimeters (1.2 in) long, the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, about 15 millimeters (0.59 in) long, the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai, also about 15 millimeters (0.59 in) in length, and the Oriental cockroach, Blatta oriental's, about 25 millimeters (0.98 in). Tropical cockroaches are often much bigger, and extinct cockroach relatives and 'roachoids' such as the Carboniferous Archimylacris and the Permian Apthoroblattina were not as large as the biggest modern species. They usually live alone only coming together to mate. The more interesting fact about Cockroaches is that they can live 9 days without their heads before they starve to death. Cockroaches have a high tolerance to radiation and are the most likely creature to survive a nuclear war. The cockroach is the fastest animal on six legs - covering 1 meter in a second.