Virtual Exhibit on Canada´s Biodiversity

	Metamorphoses: simple North American Families: 5 North American Species: 49	Blattodea Cockroaches Feeding Habits: Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on decaying plant materials and the associated fungi and microorganisms. They will also eat animal matter.
	Description: Cockroaches range in size from a few millimeters to 8 cm. They are oval and flattened and the head is concealed under the pronotum. Colours range from brownish, blackish, yellowish, to tawny. They have long running legs. The wings may be well developed, reduced or absent. The antennae are long and hair-like and may be longer than the body. They have chewing mouthparts.
	Comments: Cockroaches are found under debris, stones, logs, in cracks and crevices. They are associated with humans and exist under artificial conditions wherever they go. They can be serious pests in houses where they contaminate food and can have an unpleasant odour. Certain species have been widely distributed by human commerce and tropical species are sometimes brought in on shipments of bananas or other tropical fruits.

	Families in this Order
	Blattellidae: German cockroaches, wood roaches and relatives Size: 8 to 15 mm North American Species: 5 in Canada
	Blattidae: Oriental, American and other cockroaches Size: 19 to 50 mm North American Species: 4 in Canada