MythBusters · Video summary

Would Cockroaches Really Survive A Nuclear Explosion?| MythBusters

In this episode of MythBusters, the team investigates the myth that cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion, testing their resilience against lethal doses of radiation alongside other insects. Ultimately, while cockroaches show remarkable survival rates, the flower beetles outperform them, leading to the conclusion that the myth is busted.

MythBusters · June 5, 2026 · 24-min episode · 3-min read

Would Cockroaches Really Survive A Nuclear Explosion?| MythBusters

Key takeaways

The myth that cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion was investigated, revealing that while they have impressive survival rates, flower beetles actually outperform them.
The team used a cobalt 60 radiation source to test the insects, exposing them to levels of radiation that would be lethal to humans in mere minutes.
In the first test at 1,000 rads, all insect species, including cockroaches, survived, but only time would reveal their long-term resilience.
The experiment included three exposure levels: 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 rads, with the final test showing that nearly all cockroaches died at the highest level.
The results indicated that simpler biological systems, like those of fruit flies, might provide better survival rates against radiation than more complex organisms like cockroaches.
Consider conducting experiments with different insect species to understand their resilience to environmental hazards.

Chapters

0:00🪳 Introduction to the Myth
0:56🔬 Testing Methodology
2:12📦 Cockroach Arrival
3:33🏁 Roach Race
5:19⚛️ Radiation Source
7:47💀 First Radiation Test
9:51🔄 Monitoring Results
10:38⚡ Second Radiation Test
11:17🔥 Third Radiation Test
14:12🔬 Survivor Analysis
17:06✅ Myth Conclusion

The digest

High Level Overview

This investigation tests the widespread myth that cockroaches are the only creatures likely to survive the intense radiation following a nuclear explosion. By exposing cockroaches, fruit flies, and flower beetles to lethal doses of radiation in a controlled scientific environment, the experiment explores insect resilience and compares survival rates. The findings are significant for understanding radiation tolerance across species and debunking common misconceptions about nuclear fallout survivors.