Like other insects, cockroaches also possess wings. So, you may have the common question – can cockroaches fly? You will find the best answers on which cockroaches can fly and which cannot.
Quick answer: yes, some cockroaches may fly; others cannot fly in the air. But, the flying cockroach cannot fly for a long distance; only they can fly over a short distance.
Here, you will find the list of flying cockroaches with pictures. Again, I will explain why these flying cockroaches or others cannot fly for a long time in the air.
You will find the answer: why do cockroaches try to fly at you? Finally, you will understand the basic differences in the wing anatomy between the cockroach and other flying insects.
So, let’s get started learning the flying habit of cockroaches.
Can cockroaches fly
Though cockroaches have wings on their thorax, they cannot fly like other flying insects. Most cockroaches can fly for a short distance, whereas some roach species cannot.
But why can these cockroaches not fly? The wings of the roaches are often quite tough and sturdy. These wings act as the hard covering or shield for cockroaches.
Again, the relatively heavy body masses of the cockroach make them difficult to fly efficiently. This is the main causes of why cockroaches cannot fly like other flying insects.
But, some of the flying cockroaches, like the American cockroach, can fly from a higher spot to a lower surface or vice versa. These flying cockroaches use their wings when they are trying to get away from the predator.
They love to use their strong legs more than tough and sturdy wings. So, from the above information, you get an idea of the flying of cockroaches.
So the apparatus these are responsible for lightlessness in cockroaches are –
- Tough wings of the thorax,
- Flight muscles of the cockroach, and
- The heavy mass of the cockroach body,
Now, you will learn the details of the wings and flight of the common cockroaches.
So, first, let’s know the external and internal features of the cockroach wings. This will also make you understand why cockroaches cannot fly properly.
Cockroach insect wings anatomy
You know, a fully developed cockroach has two sets of wings (cranial and caudal on both sides). But, you will not find any wings or flight apparatus in the nymph (young cockroaches).
These are some of the essential facts about the wings and why a cockroach cannot fly –
- Two sets of wings reach to the abdomen and cover the terga (abdominal terga) entirely,
- Hind wings of the cockroaches are membranous, but the forewings are somewhat sclerotized,
- The forewings of the cockroaches cross each other and possess various colors,
- Again, the flattened appearance of the cockroach wings alters the normal structure of the thoracic skeleton and musculature,
The forewings of the cockroaches are also known as the tegmina. When the cockroaches rest, these wings remain folded and flat against the abdominal wall.
Now, let’s see the features of the forewings and hind wings of the cockroaches.
Features of the cockroach forewings and flight
The forewings of cockroaches are tougher and stronger than these of the hind wings. These forewings act as the protection of the lateral thoracic and abdominal walls of the cockroaches.
The shape of the forewing of a cockroach is oval elongated and finds the following –
- Invisible long anterior margin,
- A narrow apical margin at the tip of the wing, and
- An inner margin in the cockroach wings,
You will find a deep plical furrow in the wing that cuts off the distinct inner margin of the cockroach wings. You will see inner veins within the cockroach wings’ inner margin.
Again, you will find an attachment of the jugal lobe with the inner margin of the cockroach forewings. You know, the jugal lobe is the small membranous structure that remains folded underneath in the resting position of the cockroach.
This jugal lobe also links the inner segment or margin of the cockroach wing with the side of the mesothorax. If you don’t know what mesothorax is or the different body segments of the cockroach or other insects, you may read the below-mentioned article –
- How many body parts do insects have?
The venous system of the forewing of a cockroach
The arrangement of the veins in the cockroach wing is somewhat different and represented as follows –
- The costal vein of the cockroach wing – locates at the thickening of the small part of the anterior margin of the wings,
- Subcostal vein of the wings – this vein is simple, thick, and short compared to others,
- Radius vein of the cockroach wing – this is a very prominent vein in the forewings of the cockroach and occupies the greater part of the anterior half of the wings,
- Medial vein of the wings – this vein has branches and reaches to the apical margin of the cockroach wings,
- Cubitus vein in the cockroach wings – these are the prominent and more numerous veins in the structure of the cockroach wings,
- Inner marginal veins – you will also find the inner marginal veins in the structure of the forewings of a cockroach,
You will also see different folding in the structure of the cockroach wings. These are the unique characteristics to identify the cockroach species from others.
So, the oval elongated strong and tough features of the forewings may alter the flight ability of the cockroach. Due to these types of sturdy structures of the forewings, the cockroaches can fly in the air for a short time.
Now, let’s see the external and internal anatomical facts of the hind wings of the cockroach.
Hind wings of the cockroach
The hind wings of the cockroaches are expanded in flying conditions (only for the flying cockroaches). At that time, the hind wings of the cockroaches become a more or less triangular shape.
Again, in the resting condition, the inner section of the hind wings resembles a particular fan-shaped structure. This part of the hind wings becomes folded underneath the most anterior part.
Anatomically, the hind wings of cockroaches are membranous. So, this pair of wings is less tough or strong than the forewings.
You will see the radial and transverse folding in the hind wings of the cockroaches. These folding of the cockroach’s hind wings allow them to fit under the roust forewings or tegmina.
Again, the inner segment of the hind wings is always tucked under the anterior part of the forewings.
In some cockroach species, you may find only one fold in the middle half of the hind wings. According to the folding of the hind wings, you may also identify different cockroach species.
A venational pattern in cockroach hind wings
You will find an almost similar venational pattern in the cockroach’s hind wings as in the forewings. There are little exceptions in the venational pattern in the cockroach hind wings as follow –
Here, the subcostal vein of the hind wings is straight and un-branched. The radius vein of the hind wings has numerous branches and distributes a great part of the anterior area of the wings.
Here, the media is a less prominent vein, and the cubitus is well-developed with numerous branches. You will find numerous inner veins that radiate from the basal bow.
These inner veins of the cockroach’s hind wings are straight and prominent compared to the forewings. You will also see the five or more branched axillary veins in the hind wings of the cockroaches.
The hind and forewings of the cockroach also possess numerous short veins.
Can cockroaches fly in the air?
The combination of the membranous hind wings and sclerotic forewings allows the cockroach for limited flying in the air. They are considered hind motor flyers by some entomologists.
Here, the hind wings of the cockroaches provide the main source for propulsion to fly. But, two pairs of wings operate independently and slightly provide force to fly.
In some cockroach species, the forewings play an important role in flying. But, it is believed that most wing cockroaches cannot sustain long-distance flight.
How do cockroaches fly?
The wings of cockroaches (both forewings and hind wings) are capable of three types of movement –
- Up and down movement of the wings,
- Fore and aft movement, and
- A partial rotation on the long axis,
These three types of combined movement provide the cockroach wings with a propeller-like action. This action causes the reduction of air pressure in front and above the cockroach body.
Again, this action increases the pressure behind and below the cockroach’s body. Thus, the cockroach can fly a little.
But, they are not active fliers and evidently prefer to rely on their powerful legs for a quick getaway.
Wings reduction and flight
In some species of cockroaches, you may find a great reduction in their wings. Even these cockroach species may lack forewings or hind wings.
If these cockroaches possess wings, you may find a transverse fold in the distal part of their wings. This type of transverse fold on the distal part of the fore or hind wings may reduce the ability of the cockroach to fly.
Again, the reduction of the wings eventually occurs more in the membranous hind wings than the sclerotic forewings. So, when the wings reduce, they always flexibly join with the thorax of the cockroach.
The pigmentation of the flight muscles also affects the flight of a cockroach. Typically, the cockroach with the pink flight muscle can fly more time than others. On the other hand, the cockroach that has the white flight muscle can fly in less time.
Any alteration in the flight muscles of the cockroach body may also adversely affect the flying. The reduced musculature of the cockroach wing may be one of the important reasons for not flying.
Some ecological facts correlate with flight conditions in cockroaches. For example, cockroaches live on the Island and don’t fly in the air. But, they possess both the hind and forewings on their thorax.
Giant and flying cockroach list
Different cockroaches can fly for a limited time and distance. Here, I will enlist some cockroaches that can fly for a short distance.
First, let’s see the cockroaches that can fly –
- Wood cockroach – can fly for a while (look like American cockroach),
- Field flying cockroaches (pale bordered),
- German flying cockroach
- Smoky brown cockroach,
- Australian giant cockroach,
- American cockroach,
- Pennsylvania flying cockroach,
- Asian flying cockroaches, and
- Panchlora Nivea, or Cuban flying cockroach,
The American, smoky brown, and field-flying cockroaches can truly fly among these. But, most household cockroaches cannot fly perfectly.
Giant cockroaches in the world – the American flying cockroach is considered the largest or giant cockroach in the world. A well-developed older cockroach is (maybe) 1.5 – 2 inches long. The giant cave cockroach and Madagascan giant roach is also the largest cockroach that cannot fly efficiently.
“Madagascan Giant hissing cockroaches don’t possess any wings.”
You may know more about the external features of baby or older American cockroaches from another article of insect pets –
- Baby American cockroach (also known as the water bugs) – facts and control measurement,
Again, you may know the external features of all the cockroaches I have enlisted in this section from here.
Do flying cockroaches bite?
Typically, the flying cockroaches do not bite. But, you know, the cockroach is an omnivore insect.
That means the cockroach can eat everything edible, from animals to vegetables. Thus, sometimes the cockroach can bite you.
The flying cockroach can nibble on your earlobes if you don’t move around while sleeping. But they will not attach or bite you when you awake.
Where do flying cockroaches live?
Most cockroaches can live in cracks and crevices. Even these cockroaches can live between surfaces that provide darkness and cover.
You may also find the roaches in the building or room where they can move freely. The flying cockroach may also find between the apartment, plumbing, and other utility materials.
The flying cockroaches also live in boxes and different household materials. But, different flying species may like various places to live.
The followings are the home equipment where the flying cockroaches may live –
- Block walls, flowers beds,
- Any mulched areas,
- Damp basements of the house,
- Any dark and poorly ventilated areas of the house, and
- Attics with moisture problems,
Flying roach vs. cockroach
You may easily differentiate the flying roaches from the other normal roaches. The external features of the various cockroaches’ wings, bodies, and muscles might help you distinguish the flying roach from the cockroach.
Table 1 shows the difference between the flying roach and non-flying normal cockroaches –
| Can cockroaches fly | Flying roach | Cockroach that don’t fly |
| Wings | Have fore and hind wings | Don’t have wings |
| Reduction of wings | No reduction of wings | Reduced wings |
| Flight muscle color | Pink color flight muscles | White color flight muscle |
| Ecological facts | Live in field, house, crack | Mostly live in cave, Island |
The nymph of the cockroach also doesn’t have wings and cannot fly like the older cockroach. But, some true older cockroaches don’t possess any wings on their thorax (for example – giant Madagascan hissing cockroaches and giant cave cockroaches – more picture on social media of insect pet).
Frequently asked questions on flying cockroaches
Now, you will find the concise answer to the commonly asked questions about the cockroaches that can fly. There is no typical cockroach that can fly for a long time and long distance.
Here, I tried to enlist the common questions on the flying cockroaches with a possible short answer. Okay, let’s see the common questions on the flying cockroaches –
Do American cockroaches fly?
Yes, American cockroaches can fly and have well-developed wings on both males and females. But, they don’t fly for a long time or long distance like other flying insects.
The external and internal anatomical facts of the American cockroach’s wings are similar to these of the typical flying roaches. Here, the forewings of the American flying cockroaches possess sclerotic and strong forewings.
At the same time, the hind wings of the American flying cockroaches are membranous and remain beneath the forewings. The venational pattern for both forewings and hind wings resembles the flying cockroach’s wings.
Are flying cockroaches dangerous?
No, typically, flying cockroaches are not dangerous. But, sometimes, they become dangerous and harm your earlobes at night when you sleep.
As the omnivore insect, these flying cockroaches love to eat all edible materials. So, if you don’t move your body while sleeping and you have cockroaches in your room, they will nibble on your earlobes.
Thus, it would help if you control your house’s flying cockroaches or take proper measurements while sleeping.
Why do cockroaches fly at you?
Sometimes you may find a cockroach that flies at you. This is because they have no control over their flying. Again, they are not the good flier insect in the world.
So, when they go from the higher areas to the lower surface, they use their wings and legs to fly.
Do cockroaches fly or jump?
The cockroach can fly little; but can jump perfectly. This occurs in the cockroach due to their structure and confirmation of legs and wings.
As they have well-developed wings but are not suitable for flying, they have limited flying ability. Again, the legs of the cockroaches are well-developed and have a good ability to jump.
Can a cockroach fly into your house?
Normally, the house cockroaches cannot fly. But they can fly if you have American, German, and smoky brown cockroaches in your house.
As they are not good fliers, you may find cockroaches flying in your room and falling down on the ground surface.
What kinds of cockroaches fly?
Cockroaches with well-developed membranous hind wings, and less sclerotic forewings, can fly. Again, the cockroaches with the pink-colored flight musculature on their wings and thorax can also fly a little.
Normally, field cockroaches can fly perfectly. Again, I have already provided a list of cockroaches that can fly less or more in this article.
Conclusion
So, I hope you got the answer to your question – can cockroaches fly? Typically, winged cockroaches can literally fly for a short distance.
But, the flying ability of the cockroaches also depends on their body masses, the pattern of wings, and the types of flight muscles.
