白蟻原來被分類到等翅目,而蜚蠊目則只有蟑螂。在2007年,Beccaloni & Eggleton (2007)及隨後的遺傳及系譜發生學研究(Legendre et al. 2008; Ware et al. 2008; Cameron et al. 2012; Djernaes et al. 2012; Xiao et al. 2012)顯示,原來白蟻是由蟑螂演化出來的。從此,白蟻成為了蜚蠊目蜚蠊總科之下的白蟻領科(Epifamily Termitoidae)[1][4][5]。
布魯斯(Charles Thomas Brues)和梅蘭德(Axel Leonard Melander)根據翅的有無及其特徵、變態類型、口器的構造、觸角形狀、跗節及古昆蟲(化石昆蟲)的特徵等來進行的分類(Classification of Insects, 2d, rev. ed., 1954),蜚蠊總科 Blattoidea包括有:
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Inward, D.; Beccaloni, G.; Eggleton, P. Death of an order: a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study confirms that termites are eusocial cockroaches. Biology Letters. 2007-04-05, 3 (3): 331–335. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2007.0102(英語).