A 2024 Harvard-led study collected 281 German cockroaches from 17 countries across 6 continents and analyzed their DNA; researchers found the pest evolved from an Asian cockroach about 2,100 years ago before hitching rides with humans around the world

According to new genetic findings, the German cockroach's roots trace back to Asia nearly 2,000 years ago. It seems that the cockroach adapted to human environments in India or Myanmar, instead of Europe. The insect's global proliferation occurred through two main pathways: westward toward the Middle East about 1,200 years ago, and eastward expansion reaching Europe around 390 years ago.

Raccontata daeconomictimes.indiatimes.com