Rapid cross-resistance bringing cockroaches closer to invincibility

[Jim__]

Invincible cockroaches - there's a pleasant thought.

From phys.org:

A German cockroach feeds on an insecticide in the laboratory portion of a Purdue University study that determined the insects are gaining cross-resistance to multiple insecticides at one time. Credit: John Obermeyer/Purdue Entomology

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Cockroaches are serious threats to human health. They carry dozens of types of bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, that can sicken people. And the saliva, feces and body parts they leave behind may not only trigger allergies and asthma but could cause the condition in some children.

A Purdue University study led by Michael Scharf, professor and O.W. Rollins/Orkin Chair in the Department of Entomology, now finds evidence that German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) are becoming more difficult to eliminate as they develop cross-resistance to exterminators' best insecticides. The problem is especially prevalent in urban areas and in low-income or federally subsidized housing where resources to effectively combat the pests aren't as available.

"This is a previously unrealized challenge in cockroaches," said Scharf, whose findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. "Cockroaches developing resistance to multiple classes of insecticides at once will make controlling these pests almost impossible with chemicals alone."

more ...

[dlk]

1. Evolution...

[2naSalit]

2. heh...

Sorry, it just popped into my head, I don't know why.

[dlk]

4. Possible Future Extermination Method When Insecticides Fail?

I can see where your mind may have been going

[at140]

3. Don't they eat them in China?

Might be a future source of abundant protein.

[rurallib]

5. for those who wonder if life on earth will be extinguished by the climate apocalypse

the answer is no - the cockroaches will survive.

[Bayard]

6. Does that mean rethuglicans?

[Javaman]

7. when jesus was referring to the meek inheriting the earth...

maybe he was talking about roaches.

[qazplm135]

8. the damn things

can live without their heads for awhile, without food for weeks, and they can fit into the tiniest sliver of a crevice.

I'm actually surprised that every major city doesn't have them in every single home, office and building.