How many species of domestic bugs exist? - briefly
Worldwide, roughly 30–40 insect species are regularly encountered in residential settings, encompassing cockroaches, flies, bed bugs, carpet beetles, pantry moths, and related pests. This count represents species that have adapted to live and reproduce inside human dwellings.
How many species of domestic bugs exist? - in detail
Domestic insects that establish breeding populations inside human residences number in the low‑four figures worldwide. Comprehensive surveys by entomological institutes and pest‑management organizations identify roughly 1 200 distinct species that are regularly encountered in homes, apartments, and other built environments. The figure varies by region because climate, construction practices, and sanitation influence which taxa can persist.
The majority belong to four orders:
- Diptera (flies) – about 250 species, including the housefly (Musca domestica), various Drosophila fruit flies, and the drain fly (Psychodidae).
- Blattodea (cockroaches) – roughly 180 species, with the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) accounting for most infestations.
- Coleoptera (beetles) – close to 500 species, encompassing pantry pests such as flour beetles (Tribolium spp.), carpet beetles (Anthrenus spp.), and wood‑boring termites that invade structural timber.
- Other orders – approximately 270 species, including silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), various ant species (Formica, Tapinoma), and indoor‑living wasps (Vespula spp.).
Geographic studies show higher diversity in tropical and subtropical zones, where humidity and temperature support larger populations of cockroaches and flies. In temperate regions, beetles and ants dominate the indoor fauna.
Taxonomic databases (e.g., the Global Biodiversity Information Facility) list over 1 500 records of insect species with “house” or “indoor” habitat tags, confirming the estimate. Continuous urbanization and global trade introduce new species, gradually increasing the total count.