Blattodea is an order of insects that contains cockroaches and termites. Termites were considered a separate order, Isoptera, but genetic and molecular evidence suggests termites evolved from within the cockroach lineage. For the purpose of categorization, I have chosen to keep cockroaches under Blattaria and termite under Isoptera.
Most people find it difficult to accept that termites are closely related to cockroaches, and think they are mostly related to ants due to their complex social structure and superficial appearance to ants. But when you look at a termite alate (winged termite swarmer), they do superficially look like cockroaches.
In fact, termites and ants tend to be mutually exclusive in an area, and ants will try to eliminate termite colonies.
Source: Wikipedia
Blattaria (Cockroaches)
There are about 4600 cockroach species, and 30 species are associated with human habitats and considered pests. Cockroaches are an ancient group, originating some 300–350 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period. Cockroaches are generalist, lacking adaptative sucking mouthparts and have chewing mouthparts. Their wide ecological amplitude are associated to their tolerance to a myriad of climates, from Arctic cold to tropical heat and also able to adapt to a wide range of habitats.
Tropical cockroaches are often much larger than temperate species. Many people would not consider cockroaches social insects, but some species have an complex social structure involving common shelter, social dependence, information transfer and kin recognition.
Since early history, cockroaches have been popularly depicted as dirty pests, although most species are inoffensive and live in a wide range of habitats, with only a few species living up to their poor profile.
Source: Wikipedia
Family Anaplectidae
Subfamily Anaplectinae
Family Blaberidae
Subfamily Epilamprinae
Tribe Morphnini
Subfamily Panesthiinae
Subfamily Paranauphoetinae
Subfamily Perisphaerinae
Family Blattellidae
Family Blattidae
Subfamily Blattinae
Family Corydiidae
Subfamily Corydiinae
Family Ectobiidae
Family Nyctiboridae
Family Pseudophyllodromiidae
Unidentified Blattaria
Isoptera (Termites)
Termites are among the most successful groups of insects, colonising most landmasses except Antarctica. Their colonies range in size from a few hundred individuals to enormous societies with several million individuals.
Like ants, bees and wasps from the order Hymenoptera, termites have complex social structures and are divide into sterile and fertile social groups. Sterile groups include “workers” and “soldier“, while all colonies have fertile males called “kings” and one or more fertile females called “queens”. Termites mostly feed on dead plant material and cellulose, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.
Termite queens are reportedly the longest known lifespan of any insect, with some queens living up to 30 to 50 years. Unlike ants, which undergo a complete metamorphosis, each individual termite goes through an incomplete metamorphosis that proceeds through egg, nymph, and adult stages. Some termites are able to digest wood, and process cellulose internally, while other species are not able to fully digest cellulose and farm fungus to partially break down wood before ingesting.
Termite colonies may be arboreal, mound-like or subterranean, with primitive termites nesting completely inside these enclosed structures such as stumps or logs. Nest construction material is made largely from the termites’ own faecal matter, other materials being chewed vegetable fibre, which makes a weak waterproof substance. Aerial nests are connected to the ground by enclosed passageways. The soft-bodied, blind workers of most species live permanently in their protected environments and do not venture into the open air.The nests are complex structures, and tunnels link them to the foraging areas.
In Africa and Australia, termite mounds can be as large as nine meters tall and up to thirty meters in diameter, producing an area of increased fertility and creating a small hotspot for biodiversity.