Abstract  The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), transmits a variety of pathogens and synthesizes nearly ten protein substances that trigger human allergies and asthma. With its strong fecundity and super resistance to various kinds of chemical pesticides, B. germanica is currently regarded as the most difficult to control global, household, insect pest. B. germanica uses sex pheromones for communication between the sexes. These pheromones are synthesized by sexually mature adult females. Their main function is to attract and stimulate male courtship and induce mating. Sex pheromone biosynthesis is therefore one of the core steps of sexual communication in this species. Articles on the regulation of sex pheromone synthesis in B. germanica have gradually increased in recent years, however, there has so far been no critical review summarizing progress and prospects for future research. This paper reviews important progress in research on contact sex pheromone biosynthesis and molecular regulation in B. germanica over the past three decades. It introduces researches on chemical composition and biosynthetic sites, focuses on the identification and characterization of key enzymatic genes involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway and the regulation of sex pheromone synthesis by the coordination between sex differentiation and juvenile hormone signaling. Prospects for future research are outlined with the aim of providing new theoretical support to develop new strategies for regulating cockroach behavior and new cockroach baits.