What cockroaches are for: 6 unexpected benefits
At the mention of cockroaches, most people have an extremely negative reaction. Everyone knows these insects as annoying and unpleasant neighbors that cause a lot of problems for a person and people think that the world without cockroaches would be much better. But, just like other living creatures on the planet, cockroaches have their own special purpose.
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What is the role of cockroaches in nature
Most people perceive cockroaches as vile and useless creatures. But, in the world there are more than 4500 species of these insects and only a small part of them live next to people and are considered pests. In fact, many cockroaches perform very important functions for nature.
Cockroaches are part of the food chain
The fact that cockroaches are a nutritious protein food is known not only to man. For many animals, it is these insects that form the basis of the diet, and if they suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth, this would threaten the existence of some small predators. Cockroaches are very often included in the menu of such animals:
- reptiles;
- amphibians;
- small rodents;
- birds;
- predatory insects;
- arachnids.
But the scavengers themselves are useful. In a person's home, they can eat bedbugs, ticks and moths. But they do not specifically hunt small insects on purpose, and in search of new food sources they can eat the eggs of these animals, which will significantly reduce their population.
Cockroaches improve soil composition
How cockroaches are useful for people
Every living being in this world fulfills its own special purpose. But, when it comes to cockroaches living next to people, it seems that they do not bring any benefit to humans. In fact, this is not at all the case.
Cockroaches are used in the production of medicines
In folk medicine, a wide variety of remedies are prepared to treat diseases, and in some countries insects are used for these purposes. The most famous cockroach-based medicines in the world are:
This remedy is very popular in China and is widely used to treat heart disease, hepatitis, and burns.
This infusion is most popular in Russia and neighboring countries. It is often used for oncological diseases, pleurisy, bronchitis, tuberculosis and kidney diseases.
Until recently, pharmacies in some European countries even sold a drug, the main component of which was cockroaches. Doctors of the time often prescribed Pulvistarakane to patients suffering from heart and lung diseases.
Often use infused powder from dry cockroaches. This infusion is taken little by little several times a day until the liquid comes out.
Cockroaches are eaten and used as feed
| Benefits of insects | Cockroaches are an excellent source of protein, while scientists have proven that the content of useful substances in them is several times greater than in chicken meat. Based on these data, they even began to produce inexpensive protein and amino acids from insects. |
| Preservation | Due to the high nutritional value of cockroaches, the inhabitants of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and some South American countries consider them a true delicacy. In China, there are even special farms where insects are grown for the preparation of conservation and mass sale in cafes and restaurants. |
| Europe Restaurants | In addition, cockroach dishes have recently become popular not only in Asian countries, but also in Europe. Many gourmet establishments are increasingly adding this unusual delicacy to the menu. |
| For feed | Some species are specially raised by humans to feed spiders and reptiles. They are unpretentious and multiply quickly, they are a nutritious food with a large amount of protein. |
Cockroaches as pets
Most people have been fighting cockroaches for years and trying to drive them away, but there are those who populate these mustachioed runners in their homes of their own free will. Of course, not black cockroaches and not annoying Prussians become pets.
Most often, people choose for this one of the largest representatives of the cockroach detachment - Madagascar hissing cockroach.
The body length of these insects is on average 5-7 cm, but in some cases it can reach 10 cm. People equip special terrariums and create comfortable conditions for tropical inhabitants. In addition, representatives of this species even take part in a popular competition - cockroach races.
Cockroaches can save lives
Recently, American researchers have been actively promoting the idea of using cockroaches in rescue operations. To test this method, special sensors and microchips were installed on the back of the insect, which transmitted the location of the insect and the sound.
Due to the fact that cockroaches can easily crawl even into small cracks and run very fast, they quickly transmitted a lot of useful information to rescuers and helped to find people under the rubble.
Conclusion
The detachment of cockroaches includes a huge number of different species and you should not judge all of its representatives by annoying domestic Prussians. Most members of the cockroach family are not pests at all, and even more so, they practically do not intersect with people and live far outside cities and villages.
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