Scientific Name of Cockroach: Species, Family, Class

Cockroaches are a common sight in many homes. They can be pesky little critters, but did you know they have a scientific name? In this blog post, we will discuss the scientific name of cockroaches, as well as the species, family, and class of this insect. We will also provide some helpful tips for getting rid of them!

The scientific name for the cockroach is Blattodea. This name comes from the Greek word “Blatta,” which means “cockroach.” The Blattodea is a large order of insects that includes more than 3500 species of cockroaches, termites, and mantises. The majority of these species are found in tropical and subtropical regions. There are many different cockroaches, and they all have their unique scientific names. This blog post will discuss the scientific terms of 13 common cockroaches.

Classification of Cockroach

There are many different types of cockroaches, but the most common ones in the United States are American, Oriental, and German. These roaches are all different colors and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they love to live in our homes!

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropods
Subphylum: Hexapods
Class: Insects
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Superorder: Dictyoptera
Order: Blattodea

Families:

Blaberidae
Blattellidae
Blattidae
Crvotocercidae
Polvphaoidae
Nocticolidae
Trvonicidae
Lamproblattidae

Periplaneta Americana

The American cockroach is the largest cockroach found in the United States. It is brown or reddish-brown and has a yellow band around the edge of its body. This cockroach can grow to be about an inch and a half long. It is commonly found in homes, restaurants, and other commercial buildings.

Common Name: American Cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Dictyoptera
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Periplaneta
Species: Periplaneta americana

Blatta Orientalis

The Oriental cockroach is a black or dark brown cockroach that can grow about an inch long. It is commonly found in sewers, basements, and damp areas. This cockroach is attracted to light and can often be seen in homes or businesses.

Common Name: Oriental Cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Dictyoptera
Family: Blattadae
Genus: Blatta
Species: Blatta orientalis

Blattella Germanica

The German cockroach is the most common cockroach found in the United States. It is light brown or tan in color and has two dark stripes on its back. This cockroach is small, only growing to be about half an inch long. It is commonly found in homes, restaurants, and other commercial buildings.

Common Name: German cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattellidae
Genus: Blattella
Species: Blattella germanica

Supella longipalpa

The Brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa, is a light brown roach with two dark brown bands across its back. It is about one-half to five-eighths of an inch long and has a wingspan of about one-quarter of an inch.

Common Name: Brown-banded cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Dictyoptera
Family: Blattellidae
Genus: Supella
Species: Supella longipalpa

Periplaneta Australasiae

The Australian cockroach, Periplaneta australasiae, is the largest species of cockroach found in Australia. It is reddish-brown in color and has a wingspan of about two inches.

Common Name: Australian cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Periplaneta
Species: P. australasiae

Parcoblatta Pensylvanica

The Wood cockroach, Parcoblatta fulvescens, is a light brown roach that is found in wooded areas. It is about three-quarters of an inch long and has a wingspan of about one-half inch.

Common Name: Pennsylvania wood cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Ectobiidae
Genus: Parcoblatta
Species: P. pensylvanica

Periplaneta Fuliginosa

The Smokybrown cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa, is a dark brown or black roach that is often found near homes. It is about one and one-half inches long and has a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch.

Common Name: Smokybrown cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Periplaneta
Species: P. fuliginosa

Eurycotis Floridana

The Florida woods cockroach, Eurycotis Floridana, is a dark brown roach that is found in wooded areas. It is about three-quarters of an inch long and has a wingspan of about one-half inch.

Common Name: Florida woods cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blattidae
Genus: Eurycotis
Species: E. floridana

Pycnoscelus Surinamensis

The Surinam cockroach, Pycnoscelus Surinamensis, is a light brown roach that is found in the rainforest. It is about one and one-half inches long and has a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch.

Common Name: Surinam cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Genus: Pycnoscelus
Species: P. surinamensis

Gromphadorhina Portentosa

The Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa, is a light brown roach that makes a loud hissing noise. It is about two inches long and has a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch.

Common Name: Madagascar hissing cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Oxyhaloinae
Tribe: Gromphadorhinini
Genus: Gromphadorhina
Species: G. portentosa

Periplaneta Japonica

The Japanese Cockroach, Periplaneta Japonica, is a light brown roach that is found in Japan. It is about one and one-half inches long and has a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch.

Common Name: Japanese Cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Genus: Periplaneta
Species: P. japonica

Blattella Asahinai

The Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai, is a light brown roach that is found in Asia. It is about one and one-half inches long and has a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch.

Common Name: Asian cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Ectobiidae
Genus: Blattella
Species: B. Asahina

Diploptera Punctata

Diploptera punctata or the Pacific beetle cockroach is a small, dark brown cockroach that is found on the Pacific Islands. It is about one-half inch long and has a wingspan of about one-quarter of an inch.

Common Name: Pacific Beetle Cockroach

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Blaberidae
Subfamily: Diplopterinae
Genus: Diploptera
Species: D. Punctata

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different types of cockroaches with varying colors, sizes, and habitats. But one thing they all have in common is that they are pests! If you have cockroaches in your home, be sure to call a pest control professional to get rid of them.

I hope this article has helped you learn a little bit more about these pesky insects! Thanks for reading! Do you have experience with any of these cockroaches? Share your story in the comments below!