What do cockroaches primarily feed upon?

Cockroaches are scavengers and have a highly adaptable diet, which allows them to thrive in various environments. They are known to feed on a wide range of organic materials, including food scraps, decaying plant matter, and even paper products.

In addition to these common food sources, cockroaches can consume other substances such as nasal mucus and may engage in cannibalistic behavior by eating each other, particularly when resources are scarce. They also exhibit coprophagy, which means they consume their own feces or the feces of other cockroaches, allowing them to re-ingest valuable nutrients that may not have been fully digested the first time.

Thus, the choice that encompasses all these feeding behaviors accurately reflects the omnivorous and opportunistic nature of cockroaches, leading to the conclusion that they can and do feed on nasal mucus, each other, and each other's excrement. This diverse diet contributes to their resilience and ability to thrive in various environments, including urban settings where they often find ample food sources.