Blattodea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blattodea |
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| Domino cockroach Therea petiveriana | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Superorder: | Dictyoptera |
| Order: | Blattodea Wattenwyl, 1882 |
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Blattodea is a group, or an order, of insects. It includes two well-known types of insects: cockroaches and termites. These insects are found all over the world. They have been around for a very long time, even since the Carboniferous period, which was over 300 million years ago!
Contents
What are Blattodea?
Blattodea are insects that have a flattened body. They also have two pairs of wings, though some species have very small wings or no wings at all. Their mouths are designed for chewing. Both cockroaches and termites belong to this order. This means they are related, even though they look and act quite differently.
Meet the Cockroaches
Cockroaches are often seen as pests, but they are very old insects. They are known for being tough and able to survive in many places. There are thousands of different kinds of cockroaches. Only a small number of them live near humans. Most cockroaches live in wild places like forests.
Where do Cockroaches Live?
Cockroaches can be found almost everywhere on Earth. They prefer warm, dark, and damp places. In nature, they live under rocks, in logs, or under leaves. The ones that live with humans often hide in cracks, behind appliances, or in basements. They are mostly active at night.
What do Cockroaches Eat?
Cockroaches are omnivores. This means they eat both plants and animals. They are also scavengers. They will eat almost anything they can find. This includes decaying plants, dead animals, glue, paper, and even soap. This is why they can survive in so many different environments.
Discovering Termites
Termites are often called "white ants," but they are not ants at all. They are actually a type of cockroach! Termites are social insects. This means they live in large groups called colonies. A colony can have millions of termites. Each termite has a special job. There are workers, soldiers, and a king and queen.
Termite Homes: Mounds and Nests
Termites build amazing homes. These can be underground nests or large mounds above ground. Some termite mounds in places like Australia can be huge. They can be taller than a person! These mounds are like giant air conditioners. They help keep the termites cool inside. Termites also build tunnels to find food.
What do Termites Eat?
Most termites eat cellulose. Cellulose is a tough material found in plants. This means they eat wood, dead leaves, and soil. They have special bacteria in their guts. These bacteria help them digest the cellulose. Without these tiny helpers, termites could not get energy from wood. This is why termites can damage wooden buildings.
Why are Blattodea Important?
Even though some Blattodea are pests, they play important roles in nature. Cockroaches help break down dead plants and animals. This recycles nutrients back into the soil. Termites are also very important decomposers. They help break down dead wood in forests. This clears space for new plants to grow. They also create tunnels in the soil. This helps water and air get into the ground.
Images for kids
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Fossil cockroach from Carboniferous of France
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American cockroach
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Termites
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Cathedral termite mounds, Northern Territory, Australia
See also
In Spanish: Blatodeos para niños
