The ‘Cockroach Lord’ who names new species after Tolkien and Pokémon characters
Entomologist Cristian Lucañas, known as the 'Cockroach Lord,' is working to change the negative perception of cockroaches by studying their diverse species in the Philippines. He argues that household pests represent only a tiny fraction of the thousands of existing cockroach species.
Why it matters
It challenges common phobias and highlights the importance of biodiversity and scientific research on misunderstood insects.
Entomologist Cristian Lucañas, who says cockroaches are misunderstood, with some of his specimens at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, south of Manila./Getty Images Entomologist Cristian Lucañas, who says cockroaches are misunderstood, with some of his specimens at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, south of Manila./Getty Images Invertebrate of the year 2026 Invertebrates The ‘Cockroach Lord’ who names new species after Tolkien and Pokémon characters Cristian Lucañas has discovered multiple species of cockroach in the Philippines, and believes there’s far more to the much-maligned insect than meets the eye
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