Genetic Diversity of New York City Cockroaches

National Cockroach Project

What

High school students and other citizen scientists collecting and helping analyze American cockroaches using DNA barcoding.

Why

Genetic diversity is a window into evolution and patterns of migration. American cockroaches originated in Africa and hitchhiked around the world on commercial goods. This project asks:

• Do American cockroaches differ genetically between cities?
• Do US genetic types match those in other parts of the world?
• Are there genetic types that represent undiscovered look-alike species?

Source: National Cockroach Project

National Cockroach Project Needs Your Help To Study The Genetic Diversity Of These Insects

Led by Mark Stoeckle, Daniel Kronauer and Christoph von Beeren with the aid of Hunter College High School student Joyce Xia, the National Cockroach Project has already learned a lot about the genetic diversity of New York City cockroaches, the Wall Street Journal reports. Cockroaches in the city do not have a lot of genetic diversity, according to the researchers, with 90 percent of cockroaches from Staten Island coming from the same gene pool, and with 80 percent reported for cockroaches from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, WSJ notes.

Source: National Cockroach Project Needs Your Help To Study The Genetic Diversity Of These Insects

Exotic Cockroaches Appear in Florida

Clipped from: New species of cockroaches headed to Florida | WFTS-TV | First in HD

ORLANDO, FL (AP) -- University of Florida researchers are alerting exterminators and homeowners to be on the lookout for several new species of cockroaches.

Experts say lizard owners are now feeding their pets roaches, which are less smelly and expensive than the normal reptile fare, crickets, and some of those insects may escape and thrive in Florida's humid climate.

Along with the Madagascar hissing cockroach, experts warn that the Turkestan cockroach, lobster roach and the orange spotted roach could all inadvertently be introduced into the state.

The Turkestan cockroach hitchhike

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Clipped from: Exotic Cockroaches Appear in Florida

GAINESVILLE, Florida, October 9, 2008 (ENS) - Several new cockroach species are entering Florida, warn Phil Koehler and Roberto Pereira, insect researchers with University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

They say exotic roaches such as the Turkestan cockroach hitchhike into the state on gear brought back by members of the armed forces returning from the Middle East. These roaches have already settled in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

The Madagascar hissing cockroaches

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Clipped from: Top Story: Hissing Cockroach Invasion Feared | cockroach, invasion, hissing :

West Palm Beach (WPEC)- Homeowners and exterminators across the state are being warned about a possible exotic cockroach invasion. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and others like the Turkestan cockroach, lobster roach and the orange spotted roach could all inadvertently be introduced into the state.