General: The cockroaches (Class Insecta, Order Blattaria) are a group of medium-sized to large (half-inch to 1-1/2 inches in the U.S.) insects with flattened bodies, two long antennae, and small heads. The color generally is light to dark brown. The forewings are tough and act as a protective cover over the membranous hindwings.

There are 6 families and about 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide. The best-known are four household pests: including the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), which grows to almost 1-1/2-inches long and can be found in damp neighborhoods around Las Vegas. There are also some interesting species of native cockroaches that live wild in the deserts around Las Vegas.