Can cockroaches fly?
Many insects, such as bumblebees, weigh a lot but can still fly. With the cockroaches, which are also quite heavy, this is a little different. Although the adult insects have wings, proper flight is impossible.
Cockroaches are one of the larger insects
The cockroaches belong to the hemimetabolic insects and mainly colonize the subtropics and the tropics. In most households, the insects are considered pests. In terraristics, the insects are either kept for observation or used for feeding reptiles. Depending on the species, the size of the insects can vary greatly. The smallest specimens are only five millimeters long, while the larger species can reach a body length of up to 100 millimeters. One of the largest species is the megaloblatta blaberoides. This has a body length of over 66 millimeters and a wingspan of 170 millimeters. Although some species are very large and heavy, they can fly or at least glide. There are around 4,600 different species and these belong to the subclass of flying insects. At first glance you would think that all cockroaches can fly, but this is more of an exception. Most of the insects of this genus can run very quickly and jump well. The locomotion usually only takes place on the ground.
Not all species can fly properly
- Like most other insect species, cockroaches have two pairs of membranous flights on their bodies. These consist of more delicate hind wings and leather-like cover wings. The hind wings have a larger area and the rear part is enlarged to form a large anal compartment. The hind wings are particularly important for the flight of insects. The wings are only fully developed in adult specimens.
- In many species the wings of the female insects are stunted and only in the male specimens are the wings fully developed. However, among the numerous cockroach species there are also some species that have no wings at all. In general, not all insects of this genus can fly and the property depends on the respective species, its size and sex.
- The German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) have developed wings, but do not have a pronounced ability to fly. This is due to the fact that the animals lack strong flight muscles and this is absolutely necessary given the animals' very high weight. With their weak wings, the insects can only glide at most. In contrast, there are also some species that can fly very well.
- The best-known example is the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and this species is equipped with very strong flight muscles. All insects have one thing in common: They are very good and also fast runners. This is because the insects have very well developed walking legs. There are also some flightless species, such as the Saltoblattella montistabularis, that can jump very well.
Cockroaches are common in households and are considered a house pest. …
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