Cockroaches have slowly conquered the world. There are 4,500 species of cockroaches which are spread across all continents except Antarctica. Even so, their origin has been a mystery to scientists. Now, a new study has solved the centuries-old mystery by revealing the origins of cockroaches. Genetics show that cockroaches originated in South Asia, especially countries like India and Myanmar. As global trade expanded, cockroaches spread to West Asia and Europe. The health and economic cost of spreading cockroaches has been huge. But there is a lesson to learn here as well. Cockroaches are a testament to adaptability. They have evolved to build heat and poison resistance. They have inspired books, robots, memes, and corporate buzzwords. So, what can we learn from these pests? And should we? Palki Sharma tells you.