India Records 191 Cockroach Species

India has 191 recorded species of cockroaches, and more than 60% of them are endemic to the country. A Zoological Survey of India study published in the taxonomy journal Zootaxa also documented India’s first and largest DNA barcode reference library for cockroaches.

Cockroach Diversity in India

India’s cockroach fauna now includes 191 species, and the study added several undocumented and endemic lineages. The research generated more than 100 high-quality DNA barcodes for species identification and classification.

DNA Barcoding and Taxonomy

DNA barcoding uses a short genetic sequence, usually from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene, to identify species. In taxonomy, DNA barcodes help distinguish closely related species and resolve classification disputes in groups with similar external features.

Research Institutions and Collaboration

The study involved scientists from the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Regional Centre in Pune, the Southern Regional Centre in Chennai, and Prof. Ramkrishna More College. The work formed part of a wider effort to build a reference library for India’s insect diversity.

Biogeography and Ecological Role

Some endemic cockroach lineages in India may have Gondwanan biogeographic origins. Gondwana was an ancient supercontinent that included present-day India, Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, and Madagascar.

Important Facts for Exams

• Cockroaches belong to the order Blattodea, which also includes termites in modern classification systems.
• India’s first and largest cockroach DNA barcode reference library was unveiled in 2026.
• Neoloboptera peninsularis was identified from the Deccan Peninsula in March 2026.
• Cockroaches act as decomposers, nutrient recyclers, and bioindicators in ecosystems.

Recent Species Discovery

In March 2026, ZSI scientists identified Neoloboptera peninsularis from the Deccan Peninsula near Nathachiwadi in Pune. That discovery raised the documented cockroach species count in India to 190 before the later update to 191.