It is another Sunday and I try to bring something unusual and informative when I can to my readers….and this I could not resist.
They say that after the nukes destroy the world there will be two things left….cockroaches and Keith Richards…..since I do not want to talk about geriatric rockers I guess that leaves the cockroach.
I live in the Deep South and it is Spring and those damn large flying cockroaches are out and about….down here we call them ‘Palmetto Bugs’….I know they have invaded all parts of this country and for that matter the world…..but where did these creatures originate?
They are six-legged, hairy home invaders that will not die, no matter how hard you try.
Cockroaches are experts at surviving indoors. But they did not start out that way.
A recent study uses genetics to examine cockroaches’ spread across the world, from beginnings in southeast Asia to Europe and beyond. The findings cover thousands of years of cockroach history and suggest the pests may have spread across the world by getting a ride with another species: people.
“It’s not just an insect story…It’s an insect and humanity story,” said Stephen Richards of Baylor College of Medicine. Richards was not involved with the study.
Researchers studied the genes of over 280 cockroaches from 17 countries and six continents. They confirmed that the German cockroach — a species found worldwide — has its beginnings in southeast Asia. The creature likely evolved from the Asian cockroach around 2,100 years ago. Scientists have long suspected the German cockroach’s Asian beginnings since similar species still live there.
The research appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The cockroaches then spread around the world on two major paths. They traveled west to the Middle East about 1,200 years ago, perhaps living in soldiers’ food storage containers. And they may have gotten on Dutch and British East India Company trade ships to get to Europe about 270 years ago, the scientists’ findings suggest.
Once the creatures arrived in Europe, inventions like the steam engine and indoor plumbing likely helped the insects travel further and get used to living indoors, where they are most commonly found today.
Researchers said exploring how cockroaches conquered past environments may lead to better pest control.
The research appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The cockroaches then spread around the world on two major paths. They traveled west to the Middle East about 1,200 years ago, perhaps living in soldiers’ food storage containers. And they may have gotten on Dutch and British East India Company trade ships to get to Europe about 270 years ago, the scientists’ findings suggest.
Once the creatures arrived in Europe, inventions like the steam engine and indoor plumbing likely helped the insects travel further and get used to living indoors, where they are most commonly found today.
Researchers said exploring how cockroaches conquered past environments may lead to better pest control.
(voa.com)
I know eewwww!
Just wanted to entertain….hopefully you have some thoughts on these skuzzy pests.
Have a great day and as always….Be Well and Be Safe….
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”