How come cockroaches can survive a nuclear war but they are killed by insecticide?

6/21/2019

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Science Story: How come cockroaches can survive a nuclear war but they are killed by insecticide?

Short answer: because insecticides are powerful drugs specifically tailored to affect their neurological system when directly aimed, and many will leave long-lasting residual effect. Nuclear bombs not directly aimed at cockroaches may miss them underground for long enough to allow for radiation to dissipate enough for their survival.

Long answer:

There’s obviously considerable exaggeration on the widespread belief that cockroaches would survive a nuclear explosion.

Of course any exposed cockroach wouldn’t survive being hit by a missile, nor the massive forthcoming shock wave, not even the sky-high radiation levels. What is true is that insects are generally more resistant to radiation than vertebrates because of their smaller size and filtering exoskeleton, and that some pest cockroaches are well-known for being able to survive on limited nutrition and reproduce astoundingly quickly for their size.

This way, many researchers believe that cockroaches would likely survive for longer than vertebrates within any cities hit by a major nuclear accident or attack. Whether this is true or not, time will tell.

Now, insecticides are chemicals carefully selected to affect the nervous system of insects, causing death as soon as possible while last for long on surfaces (residual effect). They are designed to kill cockroaches. While nuclear attacks are designed to vanquish cities. The right weapon for the right enemy, that’s it.

This information was taken from Quora. Click here to view the original post.

Do you believe cockroaches to be the only creatures that will survive a nuclear attack?

#Science #animals #Quora

What are your thoughts on this subject?

24 Comments

Peter Robertson

There will always be cockroaches.We are still electing them!

Deacon Steve Burdick

Roaches have a chitenous exoskeleton which serves, like a suit of armor, as their “skin”. The reddish color of their chiten bonds with boron containing chemicals such as boric acid which is a white powder. This bonding actually destroys their protective chiten and allows bacteria in and moisture out. Re: radiation effects all cells are affected by different types of radiation to different effects. Nerve cells are more easily damaged and less easily repaired. The better that an organism can separate itself from sources of radiation, the less damage occurs. Time, Distance, and Shielding are the 3 key factors which protect cells from radiation damage.

Paulette Arnold

Pravin Shastri, better pull out the microwave. It might need cleaning behind it and underneath. To get gid of cockroaches, you have to get rid of any food on, under and behind appliances, seal off holes in the walls where they may come in. No I am not an expert but I have had them in houses. Fortunately the present house I have is well sealed, but I have killed one or two in the past. They will also come in under doors.

deborahpmercer

Paul Dodwell, Good proverb!

Paul Dodwell

“Whether this is true or not, time will tell.” I like the French version of this concept especially in relation to this topic: <<Qui vivra verra.>> “ Whoever lives, will see.”

DIVER DEAN

Pravin Shastri, Inside or out?

Norma J Lachmund

Since I will be gone I’ll leave that to the One in charge !

Pravin Shastri

I am aware of the immunity of cockroaches to radiation. I am having a tough time in eradicating them from my Micro-oven. .

Don Racette

Michael Roebuck DOGgone interesting information

Michael Roebuck

They become immune because like most things we over use them . It is the same with antibiotics which people demand when they start to sniffle . Use Granny's old cures for common cold and never antibiotics . There are now super bugs in most Hospitals World Wide that cannot be cured or if they can the drugs are out of reach of most people . I picked up one six years ago when having hip replacement and believe me not a pleasant way to live .