(Washington, DC) – The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) has lowered the endangered status of the common American household cockroach from “critically endangered,” to “vulnerable.” This marks the first time that an insect has returned from the brink of extinction to the status of a healthy species.

Cockroaches have been battled against by millions of Americans for decades. Whole industries have arisen with the sole purpose of killing these harmless creatures, as well as other small, innocuous insects of the same taxonomical order, Blattodea, such as termites. Without regulation, the wanton death of these insects has continued unhindered. Until recently.

During the decades of the ’70’s, ’80’s, and ’90’s, homeowners and apartment dwellers were keenly aware when even a single cockroach was sighted inside a home. These friendly insects have long served to improve the health of homes by eating scraps and crumbs left on tables, countertops and floors, thus preventing bacteria from growing and vermin from entering the dwellings. Since the 2000’s, both urban and suburban residents have become more accustomed and oblivious to these fair creatures, possibly due to a greater level of attention to social connectedness and global interaction with others through portable electronic devices. This has ensured that more cockroaches have gone unnoticed. In turn, this has allowed the cockroach population to blossom where previously they were fighting for their mere survival.

The name of the order Blattodea, of which the cockroach is a member, comes from the the Latin blatta, which means “an insect that shuns the light.” Thus, their reputation for being sneaky, subversive pests, rather than members of highly developed, democratic societies that they are. Cockroaches participate in collective decision-making when deciding on food sources, leveraging a quorum of group members to determine whether a food source is one that they will exploit. Individual cockroaches follow the quorum, lest they be ostracized.

American cockroaches are becoming more acceptable in common society, and are endearing themselves to humans, especially millennials. Different cockroach families display different personalities, which has led to cockroach exchanges on Craig’s List between states as far away as Maine and Utah. Some cockroaches are apt to enjoy city life more than their suburban cousins. With these exchanges, the different families of American cockroach will be further strengthened.

Due to the rise in the cockroach population, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife commission is considering establishing cockroach hunting days at least four times per year in most states. This will ensure that the population does not grow to unacceptable levels. In the meantime, it is still illegal to kill cockroaches in the daytime in all 50 states.  Though this species has come back strongly from a dangerous low population, the growth trend may reverse itself if we are not careful. We must always be vigilant regarding these beautiful creatures who inhabit our one and only earth.

Be sure to hug a cockroach on Earth Day this year. Start a new tradition that will be remembered for generations.