Cockroaches are considered to be among the oldest insects on our planet, predating dinosaurs by more than 150 million years and humans by more than 300 million [1]. Some fossils attributed to cockroaches date back to the Carboniferous period, around 325 million BC. However, an uncertain evolutionary link between cockroach-like fossils from the Carboniferous period (Paleozoic era) and 'modern' cockroaches, which originated in the Cretaceous period (Mesozoic era) as did most other insects, has also been suggested, due to morphological differences [2]. Regardless of their origin, cockroaches have undergone very few changes over time, and the diversification of species and adaptation to multiple habitats are remarkable, reflecting their tremendous success at surviving throughout evolution [1]. Over 4,000 cockroach species have been identified, with tropical forests as their preferred habitat [3]. However, a few species, including the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), brought from Africa to the Americas on slave ships, have adapted to live near people, turning into household pests.
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