Have you ever wondered where cockroaches came from and how did they spread all over the world? According to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, cockroaches originated in India or Myanmar. After this, they spread to the western countries in the last 1000 years.

Assistant Professor Stephen Richards of Baylor College of Medicine, who was involved in the study, says that the study analyzed the genetics of more than 280 cockroach species from 17 countries and six continents. This revealed that the German cockroach originated in South East Asia.

Let us tell you that more than 4000 species of cockroaches are found all over the world. The German Cockroach is the most common cockroach species found all over the world. According to researchers, the German cockroach evolved from the Asian cockroach about 2,100 years ago. Its genes are similar to the Blattella asahinai species of cockroach found in the Bay of Bengal.

According to researchers, the German cockroach reached Western countries via West Asia about 1200 years ago. There are two theories of cockroaches reaching Western countries. First – cockroaches reached there through the goods that went to the West through Dutch and British trade routes. Second – cockroaches reached Western countries through the consignment of bread that went from West Asia for the soldiers.

Scientists say that at the time when German cockroaches reached Western countries, things like steam engines were being invented. Which helped them spread further. Let us tell you that German cockroaches were first seen in Europe in the 17th century. Since then it was believed that they originated in Europe.