The robotic cockroaches were believed by Agent Fox Mulder to be alien robots, while others thought the government was behind their creation. Ultimately, it seems they were probes from an unknown alien civilization. When Mulder gave one of the robotic cockroaches to a robotics expert, Dr. Alexander Ivanov, he inspected it under a microscope. A profound look crossed his face, as he turned to Mulder and said, "It's beyond my comprehension." (TXF: "War of the Coprophages")