Cockroaches are a diverse group, but their behavior is known primarily from laboratory studies of household pests. They serve as important models in a variety of fields, including locomotion, neurobiology, and chemical ecology. The widest range of comparative data exists for cockroach mating and social behavior. Mate selection involves a complex interaction between male competition and female choice. Social behavior in cockroaches is arguably the most diverse among insects, ranging from simple egg protection to long-term biparental care of altricial offspring in a nest. Social interactions profoundly influence individual physiology, giving insight into the evolution of caste control in their termite relatives.