The Family Blattidae is commonly known as the cockroach family. Synonyms for this family name include Blattodea, Blattaria, and Blattariae. The name Blattodea is derived from the Greek word for cockroach, while Blattaria and Blattariae are simply variations of the same name. There are over 4,500 species of cockroaches within this family, and they are found in both tropical and temperate regions around the world. While often considered pests due to their ability to infest homes and buildings, cockroaches play an important role in many ecosystems as decomposers and as a food source for other animals.