Unraveling the Global Journey of Cockroaches: A New Study Uses Genetics to Trace their Origins and Adaptations

Cockroaches, with their six legs and hairy appearance, are notorious for invading homes. They have a knack for surviving indoors, often hiding in kitchen pipes or musty drawers. But where did these pests come from? A new study uses genetics to trace the global journey of cockroaches, from their humble beginnings in southeast Asia to Europe and other continents.

The research analyzed the genes of over 280 cockroaches from 17 countries and six continents, confirming that the widely distributed German cockroach actually originated in southeast Asia, evolving from the Asian cockroach approximately 2,100 years ago. The insects then traveled via two major routes, heading west to the Middle East about 1,200 years ago and stowing away on Dutch and British East India Company trade routes to reach Europe about 270 years ago. Inventions like the steam engine and indoor plumbing likely helped cockroaches spread further and adapt to living indoors, where they are commonly found today.

Understanding how these pests have adapted and spread can provide valuable insights for better pest control strategies. Modern-day cockroaches are difficult to eradicate because they evolve rapidly to resist pesticides. The study’s author, Qian Tang, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University studying insects, emphasizes the importance of developing more effective methods of controlling these pests by understanding their evolutionary history.