How the world's largest cockroaches live

In the world there are about 5 thousand species of cockroaches. Among them, the Blaberidae family stands out, uniting the largest insects. On the island of Madagascar endemic to live up to 20 species of hissing cockroaches. Their sizes are 50-90 mm, some giants grow to 100 mm. The largest cockroaches in the world are devoid of wings. They live in forest litter, eating fruit and fallen leaves. Exotic lovers in all countries start houses of these unpretentious and interesting creatures.

The appearance of Madagascar cockroaches

Due to the unique conditions on the island of Madagascar, many unusual representatives of flora and fauna live. Among the endemic species, the Madagascar hissing cockroach. Insects are rightfully considered giants among members of their family. The length of the female is 60-80 mm, and the male is 55-70 mm. A characteristic feature of the species inhabiting the island is the complete absence of wings.

Information. Cases have been reported when Madagascar hissing cockroaches grew to 100 mm.

The body of the insects is oval, elongated and flattened. The abdomen is wide and thick. They have six muscular legs studded with spikes. The color is bright, in different individuals it changes its intensity from yellow to brown. The head and front of the back are black. Nymphs are darker than adults. The chitinous shell of the insect is very durable and at the same time flexible.

Information. A unique feature of the inhabitants of the island is the ability to make hissing sounds. Sound signals are created by abrupt abdominal contraction. At the same time, hissing air escapes through the spiracles. The range of sounds made by the male is wider than that of the female. Men in this way not only scare away enemies and rivals, but also look after the chosen one.

Sexual dimorphism

Male and female individuals of giant cockroaches differ in several ways:

1. Size - females are larger than males.
2. Antennae - this organ is a pheromone receptor, therefore, to eliminate rivals, males bite off each other's antennas.
3. On the protorax (prothorax) of males there are growths in the form of horns. They push the enemy with them during the battle.
4. In females, the last two segments of the abdomen are colored darker.

Lifestyle

Insects are active at night, during the day they hide from the sun under old stumps and leaves. They feed on fallen fruits, flowers, green parts of plants. Flat smooth shell serves as a defense against attack. It is difficult for predators to grab an insect pressed against the bark. To intimidate the enemy, a sharp hissing sound is made.

In nature, the life span is 1.5-2 years. In the absence of enemies and good care they live 3-5 years. The larva needs six months to grow. During this period, it molts 5-7 times. Dropping a close chitinous shell, it becomes soft and defenseless for several hours.

Types of hissing cockroaches

The inhabitants of Madagascar forests are divided into four species:

Gromphadorhina grandidieri

Tiger cockroach - got its name due to its characteristic color. Its thoracic region is black with red spots on the sides. Abdomen yellow with black transverse stripes. The color is similar to a wasp or hornet. There is a separate variety - large black cockroaches of the species G. grandidieri black.In structure, they are absolutely identical with striped relatives, but their abdomen is coal black. The size of the imago is 60-70 mm. They live up to 5 years.

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of the largest representatives of the family. Adults are browned with a darker head and pronotum. Their length is about 70 mm. The color of the larvae is more diverse. Their sides are tan. Insects live on trees or branches of a bush. When threatened, they emit a characteristic hiss.

Gromphadorhina oblongonota

A wide-mouthed mute swan resembles the representative of the more common species G. portentosa. This is the largest cockroach - females reach 70-90 mm, males - 60-80 mm. Pronotum is black, the rest of the body is terracotta or dark brown. Powerful legs are covered with numerous spikes. Insects got their name for the prominent outgrowth on the pronotum of males. This species is not only larger than the other brethren, but also hisses louder.

Information. In its content, wide-mouthed mute swarms are unpretentious, like the rest of Madagascar cockroaches. They rarely get them because of slow reproduction and development.

Adult insects can be carriers of non-parasitic ticks. This is a symbiosis that does no harm. Ticks clean chitinous shells in hard to reach places.

Gromphadorhina picea

There is little information about this endemic form. It is known that it was discovered in 1973.

Breeding

Large Madagascar cockroaches are viviparous species. The female carries an ooteca in the genital bag of the abdomen. To achieve the attention of the partner, the males arrange battles. In the heat of battle, enemies bite off their paws or antennae. Males push the opponent with cone-shaped outgrowths. The defeated applicant falls back, he gives the female to the winner.

After fertilization, embryo maturation occurs in the body of the insect. A special capsule is formed in the abdomen - an ootek, in which the eggs are located. Periodically, the female pushes her out for ventilation. Pregnancy lasts up to two months, its period depends on temperature - with the cooling, the appearance of the offspring is delayed. From the abdomen of a cockroach 20-50 small larvae appear. They are white in color, the body is soft, without shell. During the day, the larvae darken and become covered with a chitinous layer. The first days the female is next to the offspring. Protecting children, she hisses especially sharply and loudly.

Attention. Under unfavorable conditions (low temperature or humidity, lack of food), the females lose their oedema prematurely and the offspring die.

Features of the content of giant cockroaches

Madagascar cockroaches are interesting and unpretentious pets. For their maintenance, you can use an aquarium or a plastic box. The container should have a lid partially replaced by a ventilation net. A litter of peat and sand or a coke substrate is formed at the bottom. Cardboard boxes are placed inside the insectarium as shelters for pets; egg trays are especially convenient.

Attention. Madagascar hissing cockroaches do not bite. You can safely pick them up.

Optimum temperature 25-30⁰Humidity - 60-70%. Wet the substrate with warm water from a spray bottle. Insects prefer to live on branches. In the aquarium, you need to place clean branches, pieces of bark. For the survival of young animals, good nutrition is important. The diet should be a sufficient amount of protein food.

This prevents cannibalism. The following foods are useful for pets:

• crackers;
• bran;
• vegetables - carrots, cucumber, cabbage;
• fruits - apples, bananas, pears;
• meat;
• boiled eggs.

Feed insects need 2-3 times a week. Food should not deteriorate; it must be removed and replaced. With a sufficient amount of juicy fruit, a drinker is not required. The substrate is changed every month. A clean litter eliminates the appearance of ticks and mold.