How many cockroaches hatch from one egg?

Cockroaches are not viviparous insects. Their embryo develops in an egg, placed in a protective capsule ooteca. The elongated durable capsule of chitin provides offspring with optimal conditions and protects against negative effects. Cockroach eggs are in storage until they mature. At the right moment, the shell is torn, releasing miniature white nymphs.

Propagation Features

With the onset of puberty, cockroaches seek a pair for breeding. To attract partners, they use pheromones. After the transfer of the spermatophore, the male leaves the female. A feature of insects is the ability of females to store the seed material of a partner. In the future, she can use it more than once.

A short ovipositor of females is hidden in the abdomen. There are also ducts of the glands that produce fluid for the construction of the capsule. After fertilization, the female cockroach with the egg seems thicker, her abdomen increases in size. There is a reproductive chamber for the formation of an egg cocoon inside an insect. It is filled with foamy protein secretion, it quickly hardens and creates a capsule shell.

Information. Not everyone knows the name of the shell in which the eggs of cockroaches are packed. This is an ootek, a concept formed of two Greek words “egg” and “vault”.

Not knowing the structure of the capsule and wondering at its size, people wonder how many cockroaches hatch from one egg? Each egg contains one embryo, which, as it develops, turns into a larva. Under the chitin shell, there are more than 10 pieces. The camera protects against temperature drops to negative levels (-10 °) and heat (55 °). In it, the offspring undergoes the effects of insecticides, harmful to adults.

Information. The chitinous membrane does not save the larvae from parasites; they destroy the walls and penetrate inside.

What do cockroach eggs look like?

It is rarely possible to examine the eggs of arthropod insects; they are reliably hidden from prying eyes. Embryo shelters are light, transparent, with an outer and inner shell. Through tiny pores, gas exchange occurs in their walls. They are vulnerable to mechanical damage, temperature fluctuations, infection by bacteria. Avoiding these dangers allows them to be placed behind the walls of a durable shell.

One by one, the eggs are laid in 2-4 even and dense rows. Each is lubricated with a sticky fluid and tightly attached to the rest. After the end of the process, the secretion of glands stops, but the secretions are enough to seal the cocoon. Ooteka does not fully fit in the abdomen of female individuals, part of it is clearly visible.

The shape and size of the cocoon depends on the family and type of insects. It can be from 8 to 25 mm long. Coloring is various: yellow, pink, brown. Capsules are oblong, embossed, have a characteristic scallop. At this point, the larvae gnaw through the wall of the shelter and get out. Furrows and bulges on the sides indicate egg chambers. The average number of capsules produced by a female during her life is 5–9 pieces.

How many eggs a cockroach lays at a time depends on its type.The female Prusaka leaves 30-40 pieces in the capsule, the Egyptian cockroach 14-18, black - up to 50. The average incubation period is 30-90 days. The rate of maturation of embryos depends on the ambient temperature. The optimum value is 30 ° and moderate humidity. In cool conditions (15-18 °), the development of embryos stops.

Where do cockroaches lay their eggs?

Insects try to protect offspring from various dangers. They leave an odek with ripened embryos in a secluded place. For some species, it’s enough to hide the capsule from enemies, while others need climatic conditions. There must be a suitable temperature and humidity level. In tropical species, the shell may dry out. In this case, the offspring dies or is born weakened.

Many species of tropical arthropods carry offspring in their own bodies. They do not drop the capsule, it remains in the reproductive chamber. Hatching larvae emerge from the female’s abdomen. Such insects are called ovoviviparous. They have a more developed maternal instinct than relatives. At first, nymphs do not leave the female; they seek refuge on her back. Mother protects offspring, hisses and drives away enemies.

Interesting fact. During prolonged gestation of the nursery with offspring, the female periodically pushes it out for ventilation.

Black cockroaches leave the egg capsule unattended for the entire maturity of the embryos. For a period of 40-50 days, predatory representatives of other species find it and destroy defenseless offspring. The Prussians act more carefully, their cocoon remains on the body of the female almost until the larvae hatch. This species is characterized by fertility and high survival of offspring. Females leave masonry in the dark and secluded corners of the apartment:

• ventilation duct;
• a place behind a gas stove and bulky furniture;
• under the sink;
• behind skirting boards;
• near the bin.

In the process of combating parasites, it is important to find and destroy offspring, otherwise the population will quickly recover.

Cockroach larvae

The process of nibbling the ooteca takes from several minutes to an hour. The offspring is born with a soft cover, without a color characteristic of the species. At first they stay near the shell, it serves as the first food. Nymphs are white, transparent, the only dark spots on the body are black faceted eyes. By the structure of the body, they resemble imago. A distinctive feature is the absence of wings, sexual characteristics, a small number of segments on the mustache.

Nymphs darken and become chitinous by the end of the first day of life. Their body size is 1-2 mm. At this age, young growth arrives from a month to 2-4 years. The rate at which puberty is reached depends on the type of cockroach and its lifespan. There are several other related factors:

• temperature (high rates accelerate development, low rates slow down);
• quantity and quality of food;
• moisture that helps with molting.

Nymphs lead a secretive lifestyle, in natural conditions they often burrow into the soil. Nutrition is similar to adults. In the process of growth, the chitin cover becomes small, it is periodically dumped and replaced with a new one. This process is called molting. Before adulthood, young animals survive it 5-12 times. After the pre-mago stage, flying species have wings. The transition to the stage of imago means the readiness of insects to procreate.

Interesting fact. The use of edema is also characteristic of mantis. Constructed from a frozen secret, they hang in the lower part of the tree branches.

Attitude to cockroaches and their eggs depends on the type of insects. Exotic species that are not harmful to people are popular. They are kept as pets. To the red Prussians, the attitude is different. Synanthropic cosmopolitans infect and spoil food, wallpapers, books, paper. They are ruthlessly destroyed.