This order of insects includes cockroaches and termites – two groups that may look very different but are closely related. Scientists have discovered over 7,500 species in this group, organized into about 40 families. Both cockroaches and termites help break down organic material, which keeps ecosystems healthy. Some species are considered pests. Cockroaches can spread germs in homes, and termites can damage wooden structures.

TERMITES
Termites were once classified in their own order, but scientists now place them within Blattodea because of their close evolutionary relationship to cockroaches.

Termites are very different from most cockroaches in how they live: They are social insects, meaning they live in large colonies. Each colony has different castes, such as workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals (queens and kings).

Termites are known for eating wood and plant material, thanks to special microorganisms in their guts that help them digest cellulose.

COCKROACHES
Cockroaches are scavengers that eat all kinds of materials, including paper, clothing, and dead animals and plants. They are adapted to live in almost any environment and have been on earth longer than any other winged insect — over 340 million years.

There are 3,500 species of cockroaches in the world. There are  57 different species found in North America.

Cockroaches like warm, humid, dark environments. They usually feed at night. Cockroaches have flattened bodies that make it easy for them to crawl into small spaces. Long antennae on the front of their heads help them feel their way around.

Cockroaches have an interesting warning system. They have appendages on their underside called cerci. The cerci are very sensitive and help cockroaches detect vibrations and movement so they can scoot into a safe place.

Cockroaches can live for up to a week without their heads. After a week, they will die because without their heads, they can’t drink water.

Most cockroach species live in the woods and feed on dead plants, but some species, like the American and German cockroaches, live in people’s homes and feed on kitchen scraps and garbage.

Despite its name, the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is not native to the Americas. It is native to Africa and was probably introduced to the United States in the 1600s. It is now found around the world.

Adults are reddish-brown and are around two inches in length. Adult American cockroaches have wings, and they can fly. They are usually found outdoors. They like warm damp areas and are often found in flower beds and under mulch in gardens. They will go inside homes looking for food. In homes, they can be found in damp places like around bathtubs, laundry hampers, and drains. When they are outdoors, they eat leaves, wood, and fungi. Indoors, they eat scraps of food.