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The American cockroach is one of the flying cockroaches that have invaded the big cities.
The central and eastern parts of the United States are struggling with a heat wave that is cranking up the AC units and spoiling food five minutes after being taken out of the fridge. However, there are some who relish in the humid heat, spreading their wings and taking in the sweat floating in the air. Flying cockroaches are taking over New York this summer as the suffocating heat is making the city’s human inhabitants pray for cooler weather.
After all life on Earth will be eradicated, be it by a meteor, or a robot invasion, cockroaches would happily roam the planet, spreading their wings and wiggling their antennae. The insects are hardwired in such a way that they can survive anything, even a nuclear blast, so it’s no surprise that they prefer an environment that could be considered a bit hostile for humans.
According to entomologists, cockroaches prefer humid, hot weather. Some species are even encouraged by the temperatures to spread their wings and take in the damp, soaked, boiling air of New York.
However, many species of urban cockroaches prefer to use their legs instead of wings. They can easily walk their way through meals, no need of lifting a wing. Flying cockroaches are more popular in suburban areas and the southern parts of the United States.
When temperatures skyrocket, even the laziest northern roaches prefer to stretch their wings and fly to their next meal rather than walk. The insects must use their muscles in a proportionate level of the heat, so more flight equals more activity.
Luckily enough, there are some species who cannot fly. The most common cockroaches in the country are the American and German roaches. The latter is known to prefer skittering over flying, hiding in dark corners and making their way through floors or cracks in the walls.
On the other hand, the American cockroaches prefer the great outdoors and relish every opportunity to spread their wings. However, “flying” is a loose term when it comes to what they do. The insects are more inclined to glide rather than move their wings rapidly for a sustained flight like bees or dragonflies. Usually, they use their wings in order to get from a high point to a low one, not the usual way around.
Image source: Wikipedia
